Chip Saltsman

John “Chip” Saltsman, Jr. is a political strategist, President of S&S Strategies and CEO of Red Dog Media. Saltsman is widely respected in Republican circles for his successful history in various elections at all levels. In addition to his role in campaigns, Chip is a frequent guest on several news programs to offer his expert analysis on current events and politics.

Saltsman serves as CEO of Red Dog Media, which is a full operation media and consulting firm. For the last three election cycles, Red Dog has produced and placed television and digital advertising for gubernatorial, congressional, state house, and issue campaigns across the southeast.

Chip began his political career following his graduation from Christian Brothers University, to work with then Congressman Don Sunquist. He was a key member of the 1994 election campaign for Governor Sunquist.

In 1998, Saltsman was elected Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party and faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge as he led the fight to defeat then-Vice President Al Gore in his home state of Tennessee, where Gore and his father had served Tennessee in the Senate a combined twenty-six years. Saltsman’s hard work and political leadership ensured George W. Bush’s victory in Tennessee, saving the Florida recount and narrow vote margin from being just an interesting footnote.

Following his time as Chairman, Saltsman served as Senior Political Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist at VOLPAC, a political action committee chaired by Frist, dedicated to the recruitment and support of Republican candidates for political offices nationwide.

In 2007, Saltsman would become the National Campaign Manager for Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign. He played a critical role in Huckabee’s historic victory in the Iowa caucus and in a competitive fight in the Republican primaries.

In 2010 and 2012, Saltsman served as General Consultant to Congressman Chuck Fleischmann’s underdog victories in Tennessee’s 3rd District. In-between those campaigns, he served as Fleischmann’s chief-of-staff.

In the 2022 election cycle, he played pivotal roles in various campaigns across the southeast. He served as the media consultant for the Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Governor campaign. Saltsman was the general consultant for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, leading to a historic seventy-four seat supermajority victory. He also is the chief strategist for Speaker Cameron Sexton and Congressman David Kustoff.

Most recently, Chip spent time in Iowa and New Hampshire again as the National Campaign Chairman for Mike Pence for President.

Outside of politics, Saltsman has been active in the world of private equity, with a focus on real estate investment. In 2023, he was appointed as Commissioner of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, which is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife in Tennessee. He is also involved in several Middle Tennessee charities. He enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time with his wife, Katie, and their two children in Nashville.