The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) recognized Whit Ayres’ 35-year career as a Republican political consultant by inducting him into their Hall of Fame at the Capitol Hilton on April 18, 2024. The event was attended by over 300 political consultants and AAPC members.
Ayres has served as a pollster, mentor, and trusted advisor to numerous elected officials. His U.S. Senate clients have included Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker, Paul Coverdell, Bill Frist, Lindsey Graham, Jim Inhofe, John Kennedy, Mack Mattingly, Marco Rubio, Jeff Sessions, and Strom Thurmond. His gubernatorial clients have included David Beasley, Carroll Campbell, Ron DeSantis, Bill Haslam, Bill Lee, and Bob Riley. His more than 80 association and nonprofit clients have included The American Medical Association, The Bipartisan Policy Center, The Boy Scouts of America, The Environmental Defense Fund, The Federalist Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Since its founding in 1969, the AAPC has distinguished only 55 political consultants with this, its highest honor, recognizing their contributions to the association, profession and commitment to a vibrant democracy including ensuring free and fair elections. Ayres has been active in AAPC for over 30 years, serving as its Treasurer, President, and Chairman and championing the nonprofit’s Code of Ethics.
In 2012, Ayres was honored as the AAPC Republican Pollster of the Year. He currently serves on the Board of the News Literacy Project and actively supports ALS research, the Alexandria Symphony and Westminster Presbyterian Church of Alexandria, Virginia.
In 1991, Ayres founded North Star Opinion Research, a national public opinion research firm located in Arlington, VA. The firm conducts surveys and focus groups across the country for associations, non-profits, corporations, and Republican candidates for office at all levels.
