‘Brilliant James’ helped return Trump to the White House. Can he conquer the midterms?

James Blair, 37, the White House deputy chief of staff, is the data-minded strategist now charged with keeping Republican control of both the House and Senate in next month's midterm elections. Donald Trump calls him "Brilliant James," and the Guardian reports the job looks harder this time because of the president's unpopularity and unconventional style.

A Tampa native with a finance degree from Florida State University, Blair founded Rapid Loop Consulting in 2013 and became a trusted staffer for Richard Corcoran in the Florida legislature. He later advised Ron DeSantis's gubernatorial campaign and served in his administration, where he formed a lasting partnership with Susie Wiles, now Trump's chief of staff. Wiles brought him into the Florida portion of Trump's losing reelection bid against Joe Biden, then named him political director of the 2024 campaign in March of that year.

Blair closed field offices, handed turnout work to independent super PACs and bet on digital outreach over broadcast television. Larry Jacobs of the University of Minnesota says the approach cost many consultants income and drew heavy criticism, but Trump's comfortable victory vindicated it. In the White House, Blair helped steer the One Big Beautiful Bill Act through Congress.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →