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{{short description|American political operative}}
{{Orphan|date=October 2011}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name =Ken Smukler
|name =Ken Smukler
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|alt =
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|caption =
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|birth_date =
|birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1960|9|6}}
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|death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
|death_place =
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|other_names =
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|education =[[University of Pennsylvania]]
|education =[[University of Pennsylvania]]<br/>[[Penn State Dickinson Law]]
|occupation =
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|spouse =
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|residence =[[Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania]]
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}}
'''Kenneth Smukler''' (born September 6, 1960) is a political operative in [[Pennsylvania]], President of Voterlink Data Systems and a former campaign strategist for former US Representative [[Bob Brady]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/419552-former-congressional-aide-convicted-over-unlawful-campaign-contributions|title=Former congressional aide convicted over unlawful campaign contributions|last=Birnbaum|first=Emily|date=2018-12-03|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|language=en|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref>
'''Kenneth "Ken" Smukler''' is a prominent political operative in [[Pennsylvania]] and president of Voterlink Data Systems.

==Early life and education==

⚫
Smukler graduated from [[University of Pennsylvania]] in 1982 and went on to attend [[Penn State Dickinson Law]]. In 1987, Smukler quit his legal career to become the campaign Press Secretary for Philadelphia Mayor, [[Wilson Goode]].<ref name=dp>{{Cite news|last =Vasserman|first =Kate|title =Alumnus speaks of political leadership|newspaper =[[The Daily Pennsylvanian]]| date=December 1, 2005|url = http://thedp.com/node/47611}}</ref>

==Career==
⚫
Smukler is best known for his work on the campaigns for Congresswoman [[Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky]] and [[Philadelphia City Council]]man [[Past Members of the Philadelphia City Council|Rick Mariano]].<ref name=phillymag />


⚫
In 2005, Smukler co-developed a reality television program called ''Red/Blue'' where contestants would compete for $1 million to found their own [[527 group]] during the 2006 election cycle.<ref name=phillymag>{{Cite news| last = Issenberg| first = Sasha| title = Power: Is Ken Smukler for Real?| newspaper = [[Philadelphia (magazine)|Philadelphia]]| location = Philadelphia| date = September 2005| url = http://www.phillymag.com/articles/pulse_power_is_ken_smukler_for_real/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101124041333/http://www.phillymag.com/articles/pulse_power_is_ken_smukler_for_real/| archive-date = 2010-11-24| url-status = dead}}</ref> The program was developed by Smukler and [[True Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite news | last = Reid| first = Robit T.| title = Political reality TV. Red/Blue, a reality show about politics, searching a political consultant| newspaper = [[Campaigns & Elections]]| date = September 1, 2005 | url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9676479_ITM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last = Maynard| first = John| title = Reality TV Gets Political Spin In 'Red/Blue' Series Proposal| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]| date = July 21, 2005| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-49929.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094736/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-49929.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = November 2, 2012}}</ref>
⚫
He graduated from [[University of Pennsylvania]] in 1982.<ref name=dp>{{Cite news | last = Vasserman| first = Kate| title = Alumnus speaks of political leadership| newspaper = [[The Daily Pennsylvanian]]| date = December 1, 2005 | url = http://thedp.com/node/47611| accessdate = }}</ref>


⚫
Smukler's company, Voterlink Data Systems was used to generate content for NBC during the 2004 elections.<ref name=sas>{{Cite web|title=Kenneth Smukler (C '82) |work=Fox Leadership |publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania]] |url=http://www.sas.upenn.edu/foxleadership/reg/genwindb.php?screen=speaker_dtl&sid=17710 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Voterlink Data Systems was used to create the national vote hotlines 1.866.MYVOTE1 and 1.866.OURVOTE.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Commission of Federal Election Reform: Ken Smukler |publisher=[[American University]] |url=http://www1.american.edu/ia/cfer/0630bios/smukler.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924235552/http://www1.american.edu/ia/cfer/0630bios/smukler.htm |archive-date=2009-09-24 }}</ref> The same technology was used to support the national voter hotlines 1.866.MYVOTE1 and 1.866.OURVOTE.<ref name=sas /> In 2005, he testified before the [[Commission on Federal Election Reform]] about the MYVOTE1 programs.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Testimony of Ken Smukler, President, InfoVoter Technologies| publisher = [[Commission on Federal Election Reform]]| date = June 30, 2005| url = http://www.verifiedvotingfoundation.org/downloads/smukler.pdf}}</ref>
⚫
He is best known for his work on the campaigns for Congresswoman [[Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky]] and [[Philadelphia City Council]]man [[Past Members of the Philadelphia City Council|Rick Mariano]].<ref name=phillymag />


⚫
He was named to the [[PoliticsPA]] list of "Pennsylvania's Top Operatives."<ref name=operatives>{{cite web|title=Pennsylvania's Top Operatives |work=[[PoliticsPA]] |publisher=The Publius Group |year=2001 |url=http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/operatives.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214175715/http://politicspa.com/FEATURES/operatives.htm |archive-date=2001-12-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was named to the [[PoliticsPA]] "Democratic Dream Team" of political operatives.<ref name=dreamteamD>{{cite web|title=Democratic Dream Team |work=[[PoliticsPA]] |publisher=The Publius Group |year=2001 |url=http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/dreamteamDem.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803094023/http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/dreamteamDem.htm |archive-date=2002-08-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
In 2005, he developed a reality television program called ''Red/Blue'' where contestants would compete for $1 million to found their own [[527 group]] during the 2006 election cycle.<ref name=phillymag>{{Cite news | last = Issenberg| first = Sasha| title = Power: Is Ken Smukler for Real?| newspaper = [[Philadelphia (magazine)|Philadelphia]]| location =Philadelphia| date = September 2005| url = http://www.phillymag.com/articles/pulse_power_is_ken_smukler_for_real/| accessdate = }}</ref> The program was developed by Smukler and [[True Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite news | last = Reid| first = Robit T.| title = Political reality TV. Red/Blue, a reality show about politics, searching a political consultant| newspaper = [[Campaigns & Elections]]| date = September 1, 2005 | url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9676479_ITM| accessdate = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last = Maynard| first = John| title = Reality TV Gets Political Spin In 'Red/Blue' Series Proposal| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]| date = July 21, 2005| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-49929.html}}</ref>


⚫
In 2016, he co-founded the company [[Votecastr]], to track the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 Presidential Election]] in real-time, publishing the results of turnout tracking at Poll Locations online throughout the day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/11/us/politics/election-results-voting.html|title=Real-Time Election Day Projections May Upend News Tradition|last=Corasaniti|first=Nick|date=2016-09-10|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref>
His company, Voterlink Data Systems was used to generate content for NBC during the 2004 elections.<ref name=sas>{{Cite web|title=Kenneth Smukler (C '82) |work=Fox Leadership |publisher=[[University of Pennsylvania]] |date= |url=http://www.sas.upenn.edu/foxleadership/reg/genwindb.php?screen=speaker_dtl&sid=17710 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


==Political Corruption and Federal Prosecution==
⚫
Voterlink Data Systems was used to create the national vote hotlines 1.866.MYVOTE1 and 1.866.OURVOTE.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Commission of Federal Election Reform: Ken Smukler |work= |publisher=[[American University]] |date= |url=http://www1.american.edu/ia/cfer/0630bios/smukler.htm |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924235552/http://www1.american.edu/ia/cfer/0630bios/smukler.htm |archivedate=2009-09-24 |df= }}</ref> The same technology was used to support the national voter hotlines 1.866.MYVOTE1 and 1.866.OURVOTE.<ref name=sas /> In 2005, he testified before the [[Commission on Federal Election Reform]] about the MYVOTE1 programs.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Testimony of Ken Smukler, President, InfoVoter Technologies| work = | publisher = [[Commission on Federal Election Reform]]| date = June 30, 2005| url = http://www.verifiedvotingfoundation.org/downloads/smukler.pdf| format = PDF}}</ref>


On October 24, 2017, Smukler was indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly making illegal campaign contributions on behalf of [[Bob Brady|Congressman Bob Brady]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/bob-brady-ken-smukler-indicted-charged-fbi-justice-department-20171024.html|title=2 top Brady aides charged in probe of payoff to 2012 primary rival|work=Philly.com|access-date=2017-11-22}}</ref>
⚫
He was named to the [[PoliticsPA]] list of "Pennsylvania's Top Operatives."<ref name=operatives>{{cite web|title=Pennsylvania's Top Operatives |work=[[PoliticsPA]] |publisher=The Publius Group |year=2001 |url=http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/operatives.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214175715/http://politicspa.com/FEATURES/operatives.htm |archivedate=2001-12-14 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> He was named to the [[PoliticsPA]] "Democratic Dream Team" of political operatives.<ref name=dreamteamD>{{cite web|title=Democratic Dream Team |work=[[PoliticsPA]] |publisher=The Publius Group |year=2001 |url=http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/dreamteamDem.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803094023/http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/dreamteamDem.htm |archivedate=2002-08-03 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>


On December 3, 2018 Smukler was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and federal campaign finance crimes in 2 congressional campaigns<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/501826491.html|title=Political consultant convicted in opponent payoff scheme - Philly|date=2018-12-03|website=[[Philadelphia Media Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103545/http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/501826491.html|archive-date=2018-12-05|url-status=dead|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/ken-smukler-verdict-trial-bob-brady-campaign-finance-marjorie-margolies-20181203.html|title=Bob Brady aide Smukler found guilty on 9 of 11 counts in campaign finance case|last1=Seidman|first1=Andrew|last2=Roebuck|first2=Jeremy|date=2018-12-03|website=[[Philadelphia Media Network]]|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2BRiGfL|title=How Democrats lagged with Florida Hispanic voters|last=Montellaro|first=Zach|date=2018-12-04|website=[[POLITICO]]|language=en|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/political-operative-convicted-federal-campaign-finance-crimes-two-congressional-campaigns-and|title=Political Operative Convicted of Federal Campaign Finance Crimes in Two Congressional Campaigns and of Obstructing Investigation by Federal Election Commission|date=2018-12-03|website=[[U.S. Department of Justice]]|language=en|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref>
⚫
In 2016, he co-founded the company [[Votecastr]], to track the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 Presidential Election]] in real-time, publishing the results of turnout tracking at Poll Locations online throughout the day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/11/us/politics/election-results-voting.html|title=Real-Time Election Day Projections May Upend News Tradition|last=Corasaniti|first=Nick|date=2016-09-10|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Pennsylvania political consultants]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania political consultants]]
[[Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni]]
[[Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni]]
[[Category:Dickinson College alumni]]
[[Category:1960 births]]




Latest revision as of 21:58, 18 August 2021

Ken Smukler
Born (1960-09-06) September 6, 1960 (age 64)
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania
Penn State Dickinson Law

Kenneth Smukler (born September 6, 1960) is a political operative in Pennsylvania, President of Voterlink Data Systems and a former campaign strategist for former US Representative Bob Brady.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Smukler graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1982 and went on to attend Penn State Dickinson Law. In 1987, Smukler quit his legal career to become the campaign Press Secretary for Philadelphia Mayor, Wilson Goode.[2]

Career

[edit]

Smukler is best known for his work on the campaigns for Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky and Philadelphia City Councilman Rick Mariano.[3]

In 2005, Smukler co-developed a reality television program called Red/Blue where contestants would compete for $1 million to found their own 527 group during the 2006 election cycle.[3] The program was developed by Smukler and True Entertainment.[4][5]

Smukler's company, Voterlink Data Systems was used to generate content for NBC during the 2004 elections.[6] Voterlink Data Systems was used to create the national vote hotlines 1.866.MYVOTE1 and 1.866.OURVOTE.[7] The same technology was used to support the national voter hotlines 1.866.MYVOTE1 and 1.866.OURVOTE.[6] In 2005, he testified before the Commission on Federal Election Reform about the MYVOTE1 programs.[8]

He was named to the PoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Top Operatives."[9] He was named to the PoliticsPA "Democratic Dream Team" of political operatives.[10]

In 2016, he co-founded the company Votecastr, to track the 2016 Presidential Election in real-time, publishing the results of turnout tracking at Poll Locations online throughout the day.[11]

Political Corruption and Federal Prosecution

[edit]

On October 24, 2017, Smukler was indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly making illegal campaign contributions on behalf of Congressman Bob Brady.[12]

On December 3, 2018 Smukler was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and federal campaign finance crimes in 2 congressional campaigns[13][14][15][16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Birnbaum, Emily (2018-12-03). "Former congressional aide convicted over unlawful campaign contributions". The Hill. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  2. ^ Vasserman, Kate (December 1, 2005). "Alumnus speaks of political leadership". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  3. ^ a b Issenberg, Sasha (September 2005). "Power: Is Ken Smukler for Real?". Philadelphia. Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2010-11-24.
  4. ^ Reid, Robit T. (September 1, 2005). "Political reality TV. Red/Blue, a reality show about politics, searching a political consultant". Campaigns & Elections.
  5. ^ Maynard, John (July 21, 2005). "Reality TV Gets Political Spin In 'Red/Blue' Series Proposal". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Kenneth Smukler (C '82)". Fox Leadership. University of Pennsylvania.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Commission of Federal Election Reform: Ken Smukler". American University. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24.
  8. ^ "Testimony of Ken Smukler, President, InfoVoter Technologies" (PDF). Commission on Federal Election Reform. June 30, 2005.
  9. ^ "Pennsylvania's Top Operatives". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-12-14.
  10. ^ "Democratic Dream Team". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2001. Archived from the original on 2002-08-03.
  11. ^ Corasaniti, Nick (2016-09-10). "Real-Time Election Day Projections May Upend News Tradition". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  12. ^ "2 top Brady aides charged in probe of payoff to 2012 primary rival". Philly.com. Retrieved 2017-11-22.
  13. ^ "Political consultant convicted in opponent payoff scheme - Philly". Philadelphia Media Network. 2018-12-03. Archived from the original on 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  14. ^ Seidman, Andrew; Roebuck, Jeremy (2018-12-03). "Bob Brady aide Smukler found guilty on 9 of 11 counts in campaign finance case". Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  15. ^ Montellaro, Zach (2018-12-04). "How Democrats lagged with Florida Hispanic voters". POLITICO. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  16. ^ "Political Operative Convicted of Federal Campaign Finance Crimes in Two Congressional Campaigns and of Obstructing Investigation by Federal Election Commission". U.S. Department of Justice. 2018-12-03. Retrieved 2018-12-05.


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