NYS Senate Dems Comms Leader Jonathan Heppner Joins SKDK
Longtime State and City Communications Veteran will Support SKDK’s City and State Legislative, Advocacy, and Political Campaign Work
NEW YORK, NY—Today, SKDK announced that Jonathan Heppner has joined the firm as a Senior Vice President, who will serve in both the New York City and Albany offices. Heppner brings more than a decade of experience leading high-stakes public affairs, legislative communications and advocacy campaigns across New York state and will support the firm’s state and city legislative and policy campaigns, as well as corporate and advocacy work nationwide.
Heppner joins SKDK from New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ office, where he most recently served as deputy communications director. In that role, he helped lead the chamber’s communications operation, press strategy, crisis response and proactive media narratives around major legislative priorities.
He has advised and led communications on competitive races across New York State. Previously, Heppner served as Majority Leader of the Ulster County Legislature — the youngest and longest serving Democratic Majority Leader in the county’s history — where he helped negotiate multiple county budgets exceeding $400 million and led messaging around investments in housing, infrastructure, climate resilience and public services, giving him a rare, firsthand perspective on governing, coalition-building and accountability.
“SKDK is known for delivering wins for clients on some of the most consequential legislative and advocacy campaigns in New York,” said President of SKDK Mike Morey. “Jonathan brings the knowledge and experience to help us build on this track record and offer clients unrivaled guidance on how to achieve their goals. We couldn’t be more excited to have him as part of our senior team.”
“Jonathan has been at the forefront of nearly every major policy debate in New York over the past decade, and we can’t wait for him to bring that knowledge and know-how to our team,” said SKDK Partner Kerri Lyon. “He understands how decisions are made, how narratives form, and how to communicate effectively with stakeholders ranging from policymakers to advocates to the public. That perspective is incredibly valuable for clients navigating complex political and regulatory environments.”
Earlier in his career, Heppner worked on the Obama for America campaign and began his career as a local journalist for the Woodstock Times in the Hudson Valley.
“I’ve spent my career inside government, helping leaders make hard decisions and explain them clearly to the people they serve,” said Heppner. “As the 2026 legislative calendar gets underway and the midterm and gubernatorial races begin to take shape in New York, the margin for error is small and the spotlight is unforgiving. I’m excited to join a team that knows how to move issues, protect clients and win on important issues.”
About SKDK
SKDK is the premier strategic communications and political consulting firm in the nation, bringing unparalleled experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support to manage a crisis, protect a brand, advocate for an issue, or win an election. SKDK has won PRovoke Media’s influential North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year, including in 2025, and was listed by The Observer as one of the best public relations firms in America for 2023 and 2024. To learn more about SKDK, visit our website at www.skdknick.com.
SKDK and its subsidiary businesses, Sloane and Jasper Advisors, are proud members of Stagwell, a digital-first global marketing network that delivers scalable, seamless solutions through a unique combination of culture-moving creativity and leading-edge technology.
Photo credit: Dion Ogust
