Pacific Strategies

Matthew Cunningham, Principal

Matthew Cunningham has been active in California politics for nearly 20 years as a public affairs consultant, writer and new media pioneer in the public and private sectors. In 2004, he founded Orange County’s first political blog, OC Blog, which spawned the most influential regional blogosphere in California and evolved into a national network of more than 30 local blogs under the RedCounty.com banner. He’s also a contributor to the FlashReport Blog, California’s leading statewide conservative blog, and a regular guest on “The Filter with Fred Roggin,” NBC 4’s daily public affairs program.

Respected for his talented and versatile wordsmithing, Matthew’s work has been published in leading print and online media, including national outlets such as the Fox Forum, Politico.com and National Review Online, as well as virtually every major daily newspaper in California.

Over the years, Cunningham has forged valuable relationships with elected officials, key staff and opinion leaders in state, regional and local government, and served in senior media relations positions with a number of statewide and local campaigns.

Cunningham serves on the Orange Planning Commission, and was appointed by Supervisor Bill Campbell to the OC Parks Commission, of which he is Vice Chairman.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  Born and raised in Orange County, Cunningham lives in the city of Orange with his wife Laura and four daughters.

You may contact Matthew at matt@pacific-strategies.com.

Laura Cunningham, Principal

Laura Cunningham is one of Orange County’s most respected public affairs professionals and provides clients with almost two decades of experience in governmental and political affairs. Her advice and counsel is respected by Orange County elected officials and opinion leaders.

She served on the staff of Assemblyman Dennis Brown in the 1980s, and later was District Director for former state Senator John R. Lewis throughout the 1990s, continuing with Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman during his first term in office.

Laura joined Lewis Consulting Group as Vice President of Public Affairs, representing clients to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, local governments and special districts. Her client work included land development, public bond financing, waste management, landfill engineering, and strategic political and campaign consulting.

Laura served as transition chief-of-staff for Supervisor Bill Campbell after his election to the Board of Supervisors. In that capacity, Laura oversaw the hiring of staffing and the operations of Sup. Campbell’s office, acclimated him to county issues and interfaced county departments.

Before joining her husband in Pacific Strategies to direct entitlement and government affairs efforts, Laura served as the Republican Party of Orange County’s first Deputy Chair, working with Chairman Scott Baugh to re-invigorate the county party structure. She oversaw daily operations, worked with local elected officials, developed and implemented political and finance plans, worked with donors and volunteers, and when necessary stood in at official functions for Chairman Baugh—a former Assembly Republican leader and one of Orange County’s leading lobbyists.

Laura was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and speaks Spanish fluently. Her native fluency in the language and culture of Mexico assists clients interested in outreaching to Latino media and constituencies.

You may contact Laura at laura@pacific-strategies.com.