Thies isn’t just an often quoted local political observer in D.C., he also advises politicians on their strategies and companies on public affairs issues. He’s coming off a winning season, having played the role of Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham’s political adviser through Graham’s victory in the Democratic primary. The southern New Jersey native came to D.C. for a party on New Year’s Eve 1990, and has kept the party going ever since.
So why did you stay?
At the time I was renovating a farmhouse in southern Jersey and wasn’t looking for a job, but the night of the party I met my friend’s boss and she offered me a job a few weeks later. The job provided me an opportunity for travel as a manager and producer of international conferences and special events.
How did you get into politics?
A good college friend of mine was running for city council in Brooklyn (N.Y.) and he came down for a visit to D.C. While here, he asked me to help him out on his campaign. Sleeping on his couch for six months didn’t sound too enticing, but he convinced me and I went to Brooklyn to manage his campaign. We lost by something like 107 votes, but we came much closer to winning than expected.
Were you always interested in politics?
I had dabbled in politics when I was in college. I discovered good part time work during the summers working as a low level field operative. I was already fascinated with it, having run a successful campaign to be president of my high school class my senior year and being the vice president my sophomore year of college.
How did you get into D.C. politics?
Not too long after I was in Brooklyn, a mutual friend put me in touch with Todd Mosley and in 1998 I helped him run his campaign to be Ward 1’s city councilman. That was the year Jim Graham won.
— Freeman Klopott
