The United States Capitol building and reflecting pool in Washington, D.C.

Sam Edelen

Sam Edelen

U.S. Senate staff identification badge for James Edelen, 107th Congress, on a lanyard



Portfolio


Seasoned Communications & Public Affairs Professional

With two decades of experience in writing, communications and public affairs, I craft compelling messages and help build inventive campaigns that deliver targeted results for clients.

Writing & Communications

The Springfield Sun newspaper and a vintage typewriter on a wooden desk

As a seasoned writer and editor, I’m the fourth generation of my family to work in the newspaper business in my native state of Kentucky. My great-grandfather bought and operated his hometown newspaper, The Springfield Sun, for more than 50 years, and my father served as editor and publisher of my own hometown paper when I was young.

A reporter who worked for my father once quipped that I acquired my journalistic chops through osmosis hanging around newsrooms as a boy, and my subsequent experiences in the field, in both print and broadcast news, have provided opportunities to hone my craft in a variety of diverse settings.

Today, I bring that editorial eye to press releases, policy briefings, speeches, social media content, legislative analyses and earned-media strategy for campaigns, nonprofits and private-sector clients.

Writing & Communications →

Politics & Public Affairs

Greg Orman at a signature campaign event
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Greg Orman

Serving on political campaigns and in government roles have been major highlights of my professional life. My first job came in Frankfort, Ky., where I worked in state government with the elected commissioner of agriculture’s office promoting a new farm and home safety program statewide.

From there I moved to Washington, where my passion for politics and public policy landed me in legislative roles in both the U.S. House and Senate. My time in Congress focused on conducting research, drafting constituent correspondence and supporting staff work on national defense, foreign policy and veterans’ affairs, among other issue areas.

On the campaign side, I’ve served candidates as a communications director, press secretary and public spokesman in races across Ky., Tenn., Kan. and beyond – all of which came with lead responsibility for digital strategy and social media planning. Other highlights include press advance work for the presidential campaigns of U.S. Sens. John McCain and Fred Thompson in 2007-2008, a senior advance role with the Trump-Pence presidential campaign in 2016 as well as federal public affairs service on two inaugural committees and in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Politics & Public Affairs →

A Detour to Wine

Harvest bins filled with grapes at Doe Ridge Vineyard in the Willamette Valley
The Four Graces, Doe Ridge Vineyard, Yamhill, Ore.

I took a break from campaigns and politics in 2018 and pursued my interest in wine production in Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley growing region. During my time in the valley, I worked with more than a half-dozen winemaking teams helping with all aspects of production, including grape processing, fermentation and bottling.

Working on crush pads and in wine cellars around the valley gave me an opportunity to recharge my batteries and reconnect with the natural processes and rhythms of the growing season in one of the premiere wine regions of the world.

In 2024, I enrolled in the wine studies program at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., to expand my knowledge of winemaking and viticulture and broaden my understanding of good land stewardship and responsible agriculture practices.

A Detour to Wine →

Highlighted Experience

Education

Contact

For inquiries about communications, writing or public affairs work, connect via LinkedIn.