ABOUT US

Michael Mulé, President
Email: michael.mule@uptstrategies.com
Cell: 504-301-6613

Michael’s “ground game” expertise has been a leading tool in Congressional, Senatorial, state and local campaigns in South Carolina, New Jersey, Louisiana, New York and Virginia. With clients that include a Member of Congress, the South Carolina Speaker of the House, State Representatives and multiple local officials, Michael has been able to help Republicans win campaigns in even the most hostile environments.

In the very tough 2008 cycle, Michael’s relentless ground game strategies were credited for Solicitor Scarlett Wilson’s election in one the of state’s most-followed primaries and for Rae Wooten’s victory as the only contested Republican elected in Charleston County, which Barack Obama carried with 54%. In 2007 and 2009, Michael’s tactics were instrumental in electing three Republican City Council members in the City of Charleston, soundly defeating the 40-year incumbent Democratic mayor’s political machine.

2010 proved to be a banner year for Michael and UPT Strategies. In South Carolina, Michael led the strategy development and execution of all media, communications and voter outreach to defeat a State House incumbent considered by many as one of the Palmetto State’s biggest rising stars in the Democrat Party and to elect Peter McCoy. His extremely targeted plan secured a lopsided 28% victory in a Charleston County Council race. His aggressive work for a challenger candidate was also a major force in getting a 10-year incumbent Congressman to back out of his re-election bid.

In Louisiana, UPT Strategies worked hard to execute the ground game that helped Congressman Jeff Landry defeat the former State Speaker of the House in a hard-fought primary and sail to a 64%-36% victory against the Democratic opponent in the general to make Congressman Landry only the third new Republican elected to the District since 1885.

2010 also produced major victories in New Jersey and New York. UPT’s work in Sean Kilpatrick’s victorious campaign in New Jersey not only made news for getting the first Republican elected official in West Deptford in over 30 years but also for securing a victory in the hometown of the Democratic State Senate President. In a legislative district in the Bronx where Republicans have not garnered more than 4% of the vote in last three elections, UPT’s mail and telephone plan led the way in increasing Republican vote totals over 300% from the previous election and securing 23% of the vote.

Michael’s work has also been instrumental in issue-based and non-profit campaigns. His tactics have forced governments on multiple levels to reject tax increases while improving the quality of life. His work for small businesses has increased sales, cut spending, and improved companies’ bottom-lines across the board.

A member of the Association of American Political Consultants (AAPC) and National Association of Republican Campaign Professionals, Michael has served for several years as a judge for the AAPC’s annual Pollie Awards. He has also been a featured speaker and forum panelist at several campaign training classes. Michael is scheduled to be a guest professor at the College of Charleston and the Citadel next semester.

A New Orleans native, Michael now calls Charleston home. His community involvement in Charleston includes serving as a volunteer swim coach for the Charleston Smiling Sharks - an under 21 Special Olympics swim team; a founding member and Co-Captain of the Krewe of Charleston - the only Mardi Gras Krewe on the East Coast; and a member of the South Carolina Maritime Young Professional Committee - creating opportunities for students and teachers with South Carolina state standards-based education programs. He is also a member of the New Orleans-based Contessa Entellina Society, an Italian-American heritage organization.

Chris Pordon, Director - Northeast Operations
Email: chris.pordon@uptstrategies.com
Cell: 609-651-0748

Chris made headlines in 2006 as the nation’s youngest candidate for public office, while running for the Board of Education in his home town of Plainsboro at just 18 years old. While still a senior in high school, he came within 60 votes of unseating the New Jersey Education Association’s handpicked union candidate. The campaign was followed closely by ABC, CBS, and NBC New York, along with several national and regional publications. Receiving the endorsement of the Home News Tribune, Chris was called “a crafty veteran” and his professional and aggressive grassroots campaign called “too slick” by this local paper. The Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s newspaper of record, said of the campaign, “Civic involvement is praiseworthy at any age; Pordon proves youth needn’t be a barrier.”

Before becoming a candidate himself, Chris had already served in senior-level staff and consulting roles on local, statewide, and federal campaigns - including the coordination of young volunteers for the state’s only successful challenger Republican race, when he was just 15. Since then, he has managed and advised Republican campaigns at all levels from City Council to State Legislative to Presidential. In 2008, Chris directed Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in New Jersey, serving as a surrogate on the campaign trail alongside sitting State Legislators and U.S. Congressmen. And, while serving as chief spokesman and communications director for a U.S. Senate candidate, political bloggers referred to him alternately as a “sickening spin doctor” and a “top-notch operative.”

Following the 2008 elections, Chris joined UPT Strategies to direct the Northeast operations. His hard work with UPT guided a 25-year-old political novice Sean Kilpatrick to a historic victory in West Deptford, a town dominated by Democrats for more than 20 years, and home to the Democrat State Senate President. Additionally, Chris has overseen and assisted state and federal political action committees, nonprofit organizations, and issue advocacy groups, including Building the New Majority, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, the Government Efficiency Movement, and Fight Waste NJ.

Chris is also a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps infantry. Now an active reservist, Chris spent much of 2009 on a combat tour in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, where he worked as an infantry field intelligence operative and government affairs liaison during the Iraqi Provincial Elections. Chris helped the local government lobby for funds from the provincial and national government and advised the governing body on public affairs issues. Due to his involvement in the Provincial Elections, he regularly delivers a presentation at campaign training schools entitled “Door-to-Door in a Warzone”. He is the recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.

Chris, who studied Classics and Ancient History at Rutgers University, resides in New Brunswick, NJ.

Bill Murphy, Account Executive
Email: bill.murphy@uptstrategies.com
Cell: 201-320-7850

Starting as an active College Republican and local party intern in 2005, Bill has quickly risen to an experienced political operative including developing the strategy for multiple successful nationwide campaigns.

Bill joined UPT Strategies in 2010 and now directs the new media operations with a focus on social media and blogger outreach. In the 2010 elections, Bill led the ground operations for a highly successful New York legislative race. In a Bronx district that where Democrats enjoy a 6 to 1 voter advantage and where Republicans have not garnered more than 4% of the vote in last three elections, Bill’s relentless daily work helped secure 23% of the vote - a 300% increase from 2008.

Prior to joining UPT, Bill worked on campaigns in California, Virginia, Ohio, Maine and New Jersey - including service as a Regional Political Director for Shirley Horton’s Assembly re-election bid in San Diego County, California; Deputy Campaign Manager for Joe Kryillos’ re-election to the New Jersey State Senate; and the Director of Grassroots and New Media for the Maine State Senate Republicans and three Maine statewide ballot initiatives.While working in D.C., Bill directed fundraising operations for a member of the U.S. Senate, multiple members of the U.S. House, and several leading national conservative advocacy groups. His previous digital public affairs work includes consulting for the American Energy Alliance, Consumers for Competitive Choice, Americans for Tax Reform, National Association of Water Companies, Chamber of Commerce and the Internet Innovation Alliance.

Bill currently resides in Jersey City, NJ, just outside New York City.