Ken Mehlman | |
|---|---|
 Mehlman in 2022 | |
| Chair of the Republican National Committee | |
| In office January 19, 2005 – January 19, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Gillespie |
| Succeeded by | Mike Duncan (National Chair) Mel Martínez (General Chair) |
| White House Director of Political Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 2001 – May 23, 2003 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Minyon Moore |
| Succeeded by | Matt Schlapp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Brian Mehlman August 21, 1966 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Franklin and Marshall College (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Kenneth Brian Mehlman (born August 21, 1966) is an American social entrepreneur and businessman. He serves as a member, global head of public affairs, and co-head of KKR global impact at investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. He oversees the firm's responsible investment efforts, leading the firm's Environmental Social Governance programs. Prior to joining KKR, Mehlman spent a year as an attorney and partner at law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. In January 2017, Mehlman announced that he would act as chairman of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Policy Advisory Board.[1]
Mehlman held several national posts in the Republican Party and the George W. Bush administration. In 2000, he was appointed director of the White House Office of Political Affairs. Mehlman managed Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, and was 62nd Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, Bush appointed Mehlman to a five-year term on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council.[2]
In 2010, Mehlman came out as gay in an interview with journalist Marc Ambinder, which made him one of the few prominent openly gay figures in the Republican Party.[3] He told Ambinder that he was aware that the Republican Party emphasized an anti-gay agenda but felt that he could not "go against the party consensus" when he held leadership positions.[4] After coming out, Mehlman advocated for the recognition of same-sex marriage.[5]
- ^ Mehlman, Kenneth. "Announcement of Chairmanship of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Policy Advisory Board". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
- ^ Paul, Scott (June 6, 2007). "Mehlman to Join Holocaust Memorial Council". Washington Note. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
- ^ Luo, Michael (August 26, 2010). "Former Republican Leader Ken Mehlman Discloses That He Is Gay". New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Atlanticwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Stolberg, Sheryl (June 19, 2013). "Strategist Out of Closet and Into Fray, This Time for Gay Marriage". New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2013.