Brent Gardner | Influence 100
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Brent Gardner

Chief Government Affairs Officer
Americans for Prosperity
United States


With the Republicans controlling both Congress and the White House, the political group backed by Charles and David Koch has an opportunity to push forward its agenda in a way that wasn’t possible under Barack Obama. But even before this, the Koch-brothers' political action committee is, at least partly, responsible for the Republicans taking over 25 state legislatures — with an eye towards more in 2018.

Before joining Americans for Prosperity, Gardner had worked for the National Rifle Association and the Leadership Institute’s Conservative Leadership Program, where he worked on field recruitment efforts. During his time at NRA, he directed the grassroots, legislative, electoral and PAC efforts for 26 states.

In 2013, he left the NRA to become Director of Federal Affairs for Americans for Prosperity. He served as Director of Federal affairs until January of this year when he was promoted to VP of government affairs, then to Chief Government Affairs Officer. In his current role, he directs all federal and state lobbying efforts on behalf of the group’s 3.2 million grassroots volunteers.