Paul Shumaker

For over four decades, Paul Shumaker has created winning, data-driven strategies for candidates and businesses at every level, leading to a historic transformation of North Carolina’s political landscape.

With five Senate wins, Paul has won more U.S. Senate races in North Carolina than any consultant in the state, for the last 25 years. Paul also set the record for winning the most expensive U.S. Senate race in American history in 2014, and then beat his own record again in 2020, with Senator Thom Tillis’ historic win in a race that cost $300 million.

Paul’s Senate victory with U.S. Senator Richard Burr, against President Clinton’s former Chief of Staff, Erskine Bowles, was hailed by National Journal as among the biggest wins in the nation.

Paul has been described as the “‘Data Guy’ Behind North Carolina Republicans,” who as one of the longest serving political consultants in the state, is distinguished by clear and honest direction, based on historical, current, and projected data, business, and political climates.

Paul believes that winning tough races requires deliberate and strategic planning, with disciplined, measured, and data-tested messaging.

His mathematical approach has led to countless records: from Cherie Berry’s win as the first statewide Republican female candidate to win in North Carolina history, to flipping the North Carolina General Assembly to a Republican majority in 2010 after 114 years in the minority, Paul believes that data-driven messaging drives formulaic electoral results.

As the founder and President of Capitol Communications, Inc., Paul has also worked with countless members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the past three North Carolina House Speakers, three Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, and many members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

He is also the co-owner of Strategic Partners Solutions, an issue management firm based in Raleigh.

Early in his career, Paul worked for Congressman James T. Broyhill, followed by Governor Jim Martin during his successful 1984 and 1988 gubernatorial campaigns. He served as Campaign Director for the North Carolina Republican Party in 1986, and held various positions within the Martin administration, including Deputy Secretary of the NC Department of Commerce.

Paul, a graduate of Appalachian State University, lives in Raleigh and is married to the former Ruth Ann Burton, with whom he has three adult children who he loves to fish and hunt in his spare time.