John Kupper joined AKP&D Message and Media in 1988, and became a named partner of the firm in 2004.

At AKP&D, Kupper has served as a free-media strategist for dozens of campaigns. He is in daily contact with candidates and campaign press secretaries, offering ideas and approaches to elicit favorable coverage. He’s done extensive writing of candidate speeches, op-eds, debate statements and press releases. He also specializes in research and issues development, often helping to direct the focus of clients’ opposition research and polling firms.

Before joining AKP&D, John Kupper served as Capitol Hill press secretary to Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.), writing speeches, press releases and newsletters. He also developed Evans’ regularly scheduled call-in television show. His success was recognized in a 1988 “Congressional Quarterly” cover story that labeled Evans a “local hero” in his district’s media markets.

From 1979-82, Kupper was staff assistant and press secretary to the late Rep. Henry S. Reuss (D-Wis.), who was often featured on national and international news stories and interview shows in his role as chairman of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress.

Kupper is a native of Milwaukee and a 1979 graduate of Brandeis University with a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) in Political Science. He lives in a northern Chicago suburb with his wife and two children.