Contributor Profile

Whitaker Askew is vice president of government relations for the American Gaming Association (AGA), where he leads the AGA’s Congressional Champion Development efforts and oversees the association’s business and public policy objectives. With extensive knowledge of and experience on Capitol Hill, Askew joined the AGA after a five-year tenure working for U.S. Speaker of the House John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), where he served as executive director of The Freedom Project. As the Speaker’s senior political staff member, he managed overall day-to-day political operations, led fundraising/advance efforts and served as Mr. Boehner’s key political contact for Members of Congress, candidates, donors, constituents and business leaders. In 2010, he was an integral part of the team that led House Republicans to win 63 net congressional seats, giving them their first House majority since 2006. Prior to his service to Speaker Boehner, Askew served as a political director at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. While there, he managed the association’s political action committee (PAC) fundraising operations, served as a liaison to the organization’s board of directors and members, and helped direct its annual Legislative Action Congressional Initiative. From 2003-2005, Askew worked for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Tom Reynolds (R-NY), where he worked on several congressional campaigns, research projects and fundraising initiatives, including a stint as liaison to the House Republican Conference for the 2004 President’s Dinner with President George W. Bush.