Scott Reed, a senior political strategist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has departed the organization following its endorsements of nearly two dozen House Democrats
Reed said he quit, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said that Reed was fired.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today terminated the consulting contract of senior political strategist Scott Reed for cause, effective immediately,” said a Chamber spokesperson.
The spokesperson added: “An internal review has revealed that Reed repeatedly breached confidentiality, distorted facts for his own benefit, withheld information from Chamber leadership and leaked internal information to the press. We have the documentation of his actions and it is irrefutable. Our decision is not based on a disagreement over political strategy but rather it is the result of Reed’s actions.”
Reed, who oversaw the Chamber’s federal voter education program, created and implemented the organization’s strategy to elect candidates in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 elections.
Reed’s resignation comes as the Chamber endorsed 23 freshmen House Democrats, which is unusual for the organization that has typically supported Republicans. It backed seven Democrats in 2018. The Chamber also endorsed 29 freshmen House Republicans for this year’s election.
The endorsements have led to increased tensions with the Republican Party. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy harshly criticized the group earlier this month, saying that it “is hypocrisy that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would endorse the Democrats that are part of this socialist agenda that is driving this country out, and it’s fighting this president.”
Politico Magazine also named Reed on its “Politico 50” list of ideas changing politics and the people behind them. He was also featured as the Fox News Sunday “Power Player of the Week.”
Before joining the Chamber, Reed was the campaign manager for Republican Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential run.
In 1993, he was appointed executive director of the Republican National Committee and served as the chief operating officer of the GOP during the elections in 1993 and 1994, when the Republicans gained control of both the House and the Senate for the first time in more than 40 years.
