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ABOUT
Matters of State Strategies was founded in 2021 by Ted Anderson and Matt Grodsky. Our award-winning team uses proven best practices to organize, communicate and deliver messaging plans so that our clients are successful. We are selective in whom we choose to work with, prioritizing integrity and lasting relationships. Matters of State Strategies is a leading public relations firm specializing in strategic communications, government affairs, and political campaign management.
Matters of State Strategies caught fire in 2022 with the election of Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. As the political branch of Anderson Advertising, the firm boasts over 20 staff members and agency affiliates. In 2023, Matters of State swept at The Arizona Capitol Times Awards, winning Best Public Relations Firm, Best PR Person: Matt Grodsky, Best Campaign Manager: Jeanne Lunn, and Best Overall Campaign: Fontes for AZ. The firm also garnered Reed, and AAPC Pollie awards, and was a Best New Firm by Campaigns & Elections finalist.
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Our Expert Team
Meet the dedicated individuals who drive Matters of State Strategies forward with their expertise and commitment.
Ted Anderson
Partner | President
Ted Anderson manages the overall operation of the agency. Ted has been active in the Democratic Party for years. He is a leader in the advertising industry and is the recipient of several prestigious awards and recognitions including Ad Person of the Year. He has handled political consulting and digital marketing services for numerous campaigns and was key to flipping two red legislative districts in 2020 for the Democrats. Ted was a Senior Media Advisor for Adrian Fontes' 2022 campaign for Arizona Secretary of State.
Matt Grodsky
Partner | Vice President
Matt Grodsky has served on various political campaigns and was the Arizona Democratic Party communications director (2019-2021). He was the communications director for Adrian Fontes' 2022 campaign, he authored the book "Righteous Might," and he has won 35+ awards including Phoenix Business Journal 40 under 40 and Best PR Person from the Arizona Capitol Times Awards. He is an elected Precinct Committeeman and Arizona Democratic Party State Committee Member and is a frequent contributor to major media outlets. He is a member of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and the Sons of the American Revolution organization.
Jeanne Lunn
VP | Campaign Compliance
Jeanne Lunn grew up in Chicago politics. In 2018, she was inducted into the Arizona Democratic Party Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to the Party. Over her 20+ years in Arizona, her career as a nonprofit and campaign consultant has included everything from local school boards to congressional races and nonprofits of all sizes. Jeanne served as the campaign manager for Adrian Fontes' 2022 race. In 2023 she won Best Campaign Manager of the Year at the Arizona Capitol Times Awards.
Hon. Lorenzo Sierra
VP | Public Affairs
Lorenzo Sierra’s impactful work spans Arizona, advocating for Hispanic Heritage Month in Gilbert and collaborating with organizations like the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chicanos Por La Causa, Xico, and Sheriff Paul Penzone’s Leadership Committee. Elected to the Avondale City Council in 2015, he championed Avondale's recognition as an “All-America City” and Maricopa County’s top economic development city. As a two-term Arizona House Representative, Sierra secured $45 million for Pre-K and attracted Taiwan Semiconductor to Arizona, generating thousands of jobs. He also shaped Arizona’s bipartisan 2022 budget, authored "Fight Like Hell," and lives in Avondale with his wife, Rhonda, and their rescue dogs.
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Matt Capalby
VP | Government Affairs
Matt Capalby is a third-generation native of Kingman, Arizona, and a military veteran. He has over 30 years of experience in Arizona’s political and public policy arena. Capalby served in former Arizona Governor Napolitano's administration, as the Northern Arizona Regional Director for the Department of Environmental Quality and a Policy Advisor. Before that, he served as the Assistant Director of the Mohave County Economic Development Authority, as a planning and zoning commissioner, a municipal utilities commissioner, and a commercial development project manager. He has extensive experience on issues relating to state legislative affairs, economic development, natural resource management, land use, and regulatory issues.
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Miguel Medrano
VP | Latino and Tribal Affairs
Miguel is an elected member of the Penjamo Yaqui Pueblo Board of Directors in AZ-01 and has previously served as the Executive Director for the Maricopa County Democratic Party. His background includes playing key roles in the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns as well as extensive experience in campaign management and advisory services for state party leaders, candidates, and grassroots activists nationwide. Miguel proudly served his country as an Army Non-Commissioned Officer, completing multiple tours of duty in Iraq. Miguel coordinates Latino and Tribal outreach operations for Matters of State.
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Conor O'Callaghan
Senior Advisor
Conor O'Callaghan is a proud Arizonan and former Congressional candidate. He worked as a Page in Congress and was an avid volunteer for Secretary Clinton during her 2008 Presidential bid. Conor helped launch the Arizona Fund Manager Association and has penned several op-eds on Arizona politics and the economy. Conor supports the communications efforts of the Matters of State Strategies candidate division. Conor has a B.S. from Wharton, a B.A.S. from the School of Engineering & Applied Science, an M.P.A from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, and a JD from Fordham Law School.
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Dr. Rachel Bitecofer
Strategic Partner | Political Strategist
Rachel Bitecofer is a political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist. She is the author, with Aaron Murphy, of Hit ‘Em Where it Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game (Crown, 2024). Her first book is The Unprecedented 2016 Presidential Election (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017). Bitecofer’s interviews and analysis have been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon, Politico, The New Republic, Real Time with Bill Maher, CNN, MSNBC, and many other prominent news sources. She worked with Democratic Party candidates and organizations to implement negative partisanship strategy in the 2022 midterms and has worked with the Matters of State team in multiple cycles.
Sailer Pritchett
Campaign Coordinator
Sailer Pritchett has always had a passion for public service and local politics. Sailer has worked for numerous campaigns at the federal, state, and local levels. In her role at Matters of State, Sailer supports the agency's political and government clientele. Sailer ensures that deadlines are met and projects run smoothly.
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Laura Grodsky
Social Impact Manager
Laura Grodsky has a diverse experience in political campaigns and has worked with candidates and Democratic organizations since 2012 as a volunteer., Laura leverages her expertise in social issues and non-profits to support our non-profit clientele and political candidates. She offers valuable assistance to the communications team in crafting compelling social media messaging.
Adrianna Dalpiaz - VP of Operations
Allie Fullmer - Graphic Designer
Austin Kreitler - Paid Media Manager
Brett Harms - Project Manager
Carson Schilling - Video Editor/Motion Designer
Chelsea Giro - Account Executive
Jenny Moss - Copywriter
Lindsey Levine - Media Coordinator
Maddy Mantsch - Account Coordinator
Samantha Bero - Social Media Manager
Sara Cody - Creative Director
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Steven Slugocki
Strategic Partner | Political Strategist
Steven Slugocki's dedicated service with the Arizona Democratic Party spanned over a decade, from 2008 to 2020, during which he played crucial roles as a board member. His remarkable journey within the party included his leadership as the Maricopa County Democratic Party Chair from 2015 to 2020 a role in which he helped usher in county wins for County Recorder Fontes, Sheriff Penzone, and helped deliver Arizona for President Biden in 2020. At the time he was elected, he was the youngest county chair of a major county in the country. In 2022, Slugocki served as a Senior Advisor on Adrian Fontes' successful campaign for Secretary of State.
Mara Margaillan
Strategic Partner | Latino Messaging
Mara Margaillan is an award-winning film and video producer with 20+ years of experience in production and campaign development. She is a bilingual producer who has collaborated with top-tier clients including McDonald’s,
MasterCard, Honda, and Circle K. Mara’s journey started with major networks like NBC and Showtime, leading to a freelance career with out-of-state film production companies. In 1997, she became an Executive Producer at Viacom/Simon & Schuster’s EMG Networks and has now enjoyed many successful years in the advertising production industry.