David Barklage (born April 21, 1961) is a Republican political consultant from Missouri. He is President of The Barklage Company.
Background
Early life and education
Barklage was raised in
Cape Girardeau, Missouri and attended Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he was elected Student Body President. He then attended
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) is a public university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In addition to the main campus, the university has four regional campuses offering full degree programs and a secondary campus housing the Holland Col ...
where he was elected to the Cape Girardeau City Council.
Political career
Political Consulting
Barklage began working in politics when he was a senior in college when he served as Campaign Manager to
U.S. Congressman Bill Emerson. Barklage is the longtime political consultant and advisor to Missouri Lieutenant Governor
Peter D. Kinder. As of 2010, Barklage’s firm, Barklage & Knodell, had a 95% win rate for its clients in the previous election cycle. Barklage has also served as an advisor to the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee and the Missouri Senate Majority Fund.
Presidential Elector
Barklage served as a Presidential Elector for the state of
Missouri
Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...
in the
2000 election. He was pledged to elect
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...
for president and
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce Cheney ( ; born January 30, 1941) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He is currently the oldest living former U ...
for vice-president.
Controversies
In 2002, when serving as Chief of Staff to then-Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, controversy of a potential conflict of interest surrounded Barklage due to his active political consulting work. As a result, Barklage resigned in February 2002, citing that it was for the betterment of the Senate if he step aside and not cause a distraction.
References
American political consultants
1961 births
Living people
Missouri Republicans
{{Improve categories, date=July 2021