Mike Thom is the founder and president of 515 Group. A seasoned political strategist, Thom most recently served as the Political Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles, playing a key role in winning back the U.S. House and maintaining Republican control. Respected across the political spectrum for his ability to deliver results without drama, Thom's calm, no-nonsense approach has been a stabilizing force in high-pressure campaigns, helping candidates remain focused and disciplined to achieve victory. As Political Director in the 2024 cycle, Thom played a key role in helping Republicans hold their majority, providing President Trump with a legislative trifecta to advance the America First Agenda. In this role, he advised House leadership, members of Congress, and first-time candidates on messaging, voter outreach, and campaign execution. He oversaw a budget of more than $112 million and managed a 60-person staff responsible for critical campaign operations, including candidate recruitment, incumbent retention, paid media efforts, research, data analysis, and polling. Notably, under Thom’s leadership, the NRCC launched its first-ever national field program, embedding 40 staffers in key congressional districts across the country. The program knocked on 2.2 million doors, made over 4.1 million calls, and helped drive record early voting among Republicans. During the 2022 election cycle, Thom’s leadership was pivotal in flipping key districts that secured a House Republican majority, allowing the party to act as a check on the Democrat-controlled Senate and Biden administration—most notably, firing Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Thom managed a $132 million political budget, flipped nine seats, and helped elect Mayra Flores (TX-34), the first Mexican-born woman to the U.S. House. Prior to serving as Political Director, Thom was the Deputy Political Director during the 2020 cycle, where he successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to help Republicans secure key victories. He oversaw all U.S. House special elections for the NRCC, going undefeated. His successes included flipping CA-25, marking the first Republican flip in California in more than 20 years, and retaining North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, where Republicans were outspent 3-to-1. In the 2018 cycle, as an NRCC Regional Political Director, Thom oversaw GOP operations across 12 states in the Midwest and Mountain West. His efforts were crucial in flipping two Democrat-held seats in Minnesota (MN-01 and MN-08)—the only two House seats nationwide to flip red, defying the Blue Wave election year. Before joining the NRCC, Thom managed Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s (PA-01) successful 2016 campaign in the Philadelphia suburbs, which was the most expensive open congressional race in the country. His earlier political experience includes serving as State Director for Oregon and Kansas with the Republican National Committee (RNC), working on three presidential campaigns, and a U.S. Senate race. A native Iowan, Thom is a father of two and remains loyal to Busch Light beer. Awards AAPC 40 Under 40 (2020) Maverick PAC Future 40 (2023)