Hoosiers take on a Race for Congress

Even campaigners with years of experience can stand to learn from the Leadership Institute. 

Earlier this month, Jadan Horyn participated in the Leadership Institute’s Campaign Management School and came away with enough knowledge to give an edge to his congressional campaign.

Jadan is currently the campaign manager for Jim Pfaff, a candidate running in Indiana’s 9th Congressional District. 

“It all started when I was 13 years old,” said Jadan.

“During the Bush/Gore 2000 election, I stayed up all night to watch election results.  Pretty much from then on, I was fully enveloped in politics.”

A 2012 graduate of Liberty University, Jadan dedicated years to build up his College Republicans group; work with the State Central Committee, the governing body of the Republican Party of Virginia; and serve on the College Republican state board.

Jadan would go on to co-host his own talk show called “Rude Awakening” at Liberty University, hosting guests like Senator John McCain and Governor Mike Huckabee.

After graduating, Jadan integrated his media background and his interest in political campaigns working for Laura Ingraham on her FOX News appearances, followed by three years of working in congressional communications.  It wasn’t until he started working in Congressman Tim Huelskamp’s office did he meet Jim Pfaff, then Chief of Staff for Congressman Huelskamp.  Jim Pfaff would then ask Jadan to be his campaign manager in his race for congress in his home state of Indiana.

“I told him I’d take the job but that I needed to go to LI to fill in the missing pieces.” said Jadan.

The week-long Campaign Management School provides the students with a run-through on the know-how and tools required to establish and build up their campaigns.

“First day, we learned opposition research.  It was the how, the methodology, was what I didn’t know.”

On the first day at the training, Jadan texted his staff how and where to look for the potential weaknesses of their opponent.

“By 4:00 p.m. that day, I had an entire document from my campaign researcher about questionable votes made by our opponent.  If I had never come to this training, I would have never had that ammunition to use on them.”

When asked what advice he would give future candidates and campaign managers now that he’s completed the Campaign Management School, he said “Sit them down and hold them accountable….and make sure they follow through on their goals.”

Join the Leadership Institute in thanking Jadan for his dedication to conservative principles and congratulate him for receiving LI’s Conservative Leader-In-Training Award.

To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member for the Conservative Leader Award or Conservative Leader-In-Training Award, please contact LI's Director of External Affairs Carol Wehe, at Carol@LeadershipInstitute.org.

The Leadership Institute offers over 44 types of training programs, working with more than 1,761 conservative student groups, and helping employers connect with conservative jobseekers.  Since the Institute’s 1979 founding, LI has trained more than 170,266 conservative activists, students, and leaders.  Graduates include members of Congress, state legislators, local officials, media personalities, and conservative organization leaders.  For more information, please visit: www.LeadershipInstitute.org.