Jay Spencer is the Founder and Principal at Dignified Strategies LLC, a non-partisan public affairs consultancy specializing in political strategy, government affairs, and congressional campaign advising in communication, ballot access, branding, and message delivery. 

 

Jay came to this decision after several years working on the staff-level in both state and congressional level politics and has been either a volunteer or a paid staffer on campaigns on every level of American government. 

 

He is a strong believer in the idea that any message can be successful if it’s conveyed correctly and to the right audience, and that it’s not about what you have to say, but how you say it. 

​

With a diverse background spanning athletics, government affairs, community engagement, and Economic Development, Jay’s experience includes time as an aide to former Congressman Paul Cook, managing intricate constituent casework involving various federal agencies such as the Department of State, HUD, the Social Security Administration, ICE, the USPS, and the National Park Service. He also represented the Congressman and spoke on his behalf at various district meetings and events and was the field supervisor for Congressman Cook’s 2016 reelection campaign at the age of 20.

 

His tenure as Special Assistant to former presidential candidate Congressman Joe Walsh, followed by his role as the Senior Legislative Aide to State Senator Kevin Van Winkle of Douglas County, and his current position as Chief of Staff to State Senator Joann Ginal of Fort Collins, has enriched his insight into both national legislation and campaign dynamics as well as legislation and political leadership and operations at the state level in Colorado. 

 

He has also spent time as Director of Operations for the NW Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, where he worked with, and on behalf of, the Douglas County Government and developers in Colorado, helping the CEO oversee both long- and short-term projects and contracts, and craft policies and economic development incentives on behalf of the county government aimed towards the short- and long-term economic success of Douglas County by recruiting major Aerospace, Finance, and Medical companies to Colorado’s Healthiest and Wealthiest County.

 

Spencer studied Legal Communication at Kansas State University after achieving success in track and field. He earned a full-ride scholarship for being a California State Record Holder in the Triple Jump and is ranked as the best Sophomore Triple Jumper in the history of the State of California. Spencer’s track record also includes being a 5-time All-American, a national champion, a former US Ranked #1 Triple Jumper, and a member of the US National Track and Field Team, placing 11th at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France, and being 2012 USA Track and Field Southern California Athlete of the Year.

 

A Colorado native, his proud familial ties to local history are extensive with his uncle being Aurora’s first Black firefighter and his godfather being the State of Colorado’s first Black judge. In 2023, he was appointed to the City of Aurora, CO, Career Service Commission, and in his free time enjoys reading, cycling, camping, traveling and coaching high-school long and triple jump.