While Sarah Huckabee Sanders commands national headlines as Governor of Arkansas, her husband, Bryan Sanders, operates largely away from the public spotlight. Despite keeping a lower profile, he has built a substantial career as a Republican political media consultant and strategist. Understanding his background requires looking past standard political spouse tropes to examine his professional roots, media campaigns, and his role as Arkansas's first gentleman.
Bryan Chatfield Sanders grew up in Mission Woods, a suburb of Kansas City in Johnson County, Kansas. He graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village before heading to Maine to attend Colby College, where he earned a degree in government. Early on, he gravitated toward political communications rather than holding elected office, setting the stage for a behind-the-scenes career in campaign management.
Early Political Career and Rise in Campaign Strategy
Sanders didn't jump straight into major national races. He started local, working as a staffer and press assistant for Kansas Senator Sam Brownback. When Brownback launched his 2008 presidential bid, Sanders served on the campaign.
That campaign changed his personal and professional trajectory. While working on the Iowa caucuses, he crossed paths with Sarah Huckabee, who was working for her father Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign. Their professional interactions evolved into a relationship, and they married in May 2010.
After Brownback's presidential campaign ended, Sanders joined The Wickers Group, a prominent Republican political media firm. Working through the firm, he quickly earned a reputation for sharp media strategy:
- Robert Bentley's 2010 Campaign: Sanders managed the successful gubernatorial campaign for Robert J. Bentley in Alabama, proving his ability to steer competitive state races.
- Ted Yoho's 2012 Congressional Race: As a media consultant for underdog Tea Party candidate Ted Yoho in Florida's 3rd Congressional District, Sanders produced a memorable, unorthodox advertisement titled "Pigs". The Washington Post praised it as one of the best political ads of the cycle, and Campaigns and Elections Magazine named Sanders a "Rising Star of American Politics".
- Broader Consulting: Over the years, he has advised various high-profile Republican figures, including Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Arkansas Congressman French Hill.
Founding Second Street Strategies
In 2016, Bryan and Sarah Sanders launched Second Street Strategies, a political consulting firm. Serving as president of the firm, Bryan focused on polling, media production, and strategic messaging for conservative candidates and organizations.
The firm played a quiet yet influential role in various state and national races, positioning the couple as a formidable political power team in Republican circles. Through Second Street Strategies, Bryan combined his knack for hard-hitting media production with data-driven voter targeting, helping shape messaging for a new wave of conservative leaders.
Life as Arkansas First Gentleman
When Sarah Huckabee Sanders won election as Governor of Arkansas, Bryan stepped into a historic new role as the state's first male first gentleman. Rather than seeking public office himself, he shifted his focus toward supporting the governor's office while raising their three children—Scarlett, Huck, and George—alongside their dog, Traveler.
In this capacity, he balances family life with outdoor interests like mountain biking in the Natural State. While he occasionally attends high-profile events, he maintains a deliberate distance from the daily media churn that characterizes modern executive administrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Bryan Sanders and Sarah Huckabee meet?
They met in Iowa during the 2008 Republican presidential primaries. Bryan was working on Sam Brownback's campaign, while Sarah was working on her father Mike Huckabee's campaign. They married in 2010.
What is Bryan Sanders' primary profession?
He is a political media consultant, strategist, and the co-founder of Second Street Strategies, a Republican consulting firm.
Did Bryan Sanders work on Donald Trump's presidential campaigns?
While Sarah Sanders served as White House Press Secretary and a key surrogate for Donald Trump, Bryan maintained a more independent consulting footprint through his firm, though he has broadly supported Republican candidates and his wife's political trajectory.
How many children do Bryan and Sarah Sanders have?
They have three children: a daughter named Scarlett and two sons named William (nicknamed Huck) and George.
