Mary Matalin is an American political consultant and Republican strategist.
On April 23, 2009, CNN announced that Matalin had accepted a position as a political contributor for the network. She will appear on several CNN programs, including Anderson Cooper 360 and The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Matalin will also appear twice a month alongside her husband, Democratic strategist and CNN political contributor James Carville, on State of the Union with John King.CNN: Mary Matalin Signs on as CNN Contributor (April 23, 2009) Matalin is a former co-host on CNN's Crossfire.
Fast Facts:
- Born: August 19, 1953
- Birthplace: Calumet City, Illinois
- Graduated from Western Illinois University
- Spouse: James Carville
- Former counselor to Vice-President Dick Cheney
- April 26, 2009: First joint CNN appearance with her husband will be for a special First 100 Days Edition of State of the UnionCNN: Mary Matalin Signs on as CNN Contributor (April 23, 2009)
- 1980: Worked on Dave O'Neal's campaign for Senator of Illinois
- 1985: Was an aide to Richard Bond and Chief of Staff for Betty Heitman
- 1986: Worked on George H. W. Bush's campaign as Deputy Political Director and Midwest Regional Political Director
- 1993: Host of CNBC's series Equal Time
- 1993: Married James Carville in New Orleans
- 2002: Attended meetings of the White House Iraq Group
- 2003: Appeared in the HBO series K Street
Political Career
Matalin began working for the Republican National Committee (RNC) in the early 1980s, and served as Deputy Political Director of George H. W. Bush's 1988 Presidential campaign. In 1992, she became the head Political Director of the campaign to re-elect Bush, and on the campaign trail met her rival, James Carville. The two were wed the following year.
Recent Activity
Matalin became a frequent host of the CNN debate show Crossfire in the 1990s, and in 2001, became the counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney. She left the post in 2003 and founded a political consulting firm with her husband. In 2006, she worked on George Allen's Virginia senatorial campaign, and in 2008 worked on Fred Thompson's presidential bid.
