This year, Campaigns & Elections celebrated a milestone: 45 years at the heart of the political campaign industry.
Since 1980, C&E has chronicled the evolution of political campaigning — tracking the people, strategies, tools, and technologies shaping American elections. What began as a niche newsletter has grown into the campaign industry’s most trusted platform for journalism, community, and professional development.
To mark the occasion, we published a special commemorative print edition — a collector’s issue that reflects on the legacy of the campaign industry and the publication itself. From archival gems and design throwbacks to insights from some of the most influential practitioners in the business, the issue offers a look back, and a look ahead, at how campaigns have changed, and where they’re headed next.
We also gathered with friends, contributors, and colleagues in Washington, DC to celebrate the milestone in person. The C&E 45 party brought the community together for a night of storytelling, reflection, and recognition. A highlight of the evening: four of the original C&E Rising Stars from the Class of 1988 took the stage to share campaign war stories and lessons learned from decades in the trenches.
The panel, held at C&E’s 45th Anniversary party in Washington, D.C., featured Celinda Lake, a longtime Democratic pollster who’s worked on dozens of campaigns up and down the ballot; Alex Castellanos, the co-founder and chairman of Purple Strategies and a veteran of seven Republican presidential campaigns; Chris Mottola, a longtime Republican ad maker and the founder of Mottola Consulting; and Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist who served as campaign manager on Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign, as well as acting chair of the Democratic National Committee. You can read more about the conversation here.
Their presence served as a reminder of what makes C&E special—our deep roots in the industry, our commitment to elevating emerging talent, and our belief in the power of political professionals to shape the future.
As we look toward the next chapter, we remain focused on delivering trusted journalism, convening smart conversations, and celebrating the people who make campaigns happen.
Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to the next 45.