About Antonio
Antonio D. French
President/CEO/Principal Campaign Manager
A D French & Associates LLC
antonio@adfrench.com
Professional Political Experience:
President, A D French & Associates LLC
March 2000—Present
A D French & Associates is a Political Action Firm specializing in campaign management and consultation. Past clients include Senator Wayne Goode, Senator Patrick Dougherty, and Missouri Voters for Fair Elections.
Campaign Manager, Alderman – 21st Ward
February 2001—March 2001
Responsible for defeating an 8-year incumbent.
Campaign Manager, State Senator – 4th District (Special Election)
December 2000—January 2001
Responsible for the successful election of Patrick Dougherty to the Missouri Senate.
Campaign Manager, State Senator – 13th District
May 2000—August 2000
Responsible for the successful re-election of Sen. Wayne Goode.
Campaign Manager, Committeewoman – 21st Ward
May 2000—August 2000
Responsible for the successful re-election of Committeewoman Myrtle French.
Field Coordinator, Missouri Voters for Fair Elections
March 2000 – May 2000
Professional Journalism Experience:
Publisher and Editor, PUB DEF Weekly
August 2002—Present
PUB DEF is a non-partisan, independent, daily political blog based in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Its goal is to cast a critical eye on lawmakers, their policies, and those that have influence upon them, and to educate our readers about legislation and the political processes that affect our daily lives.
Editor, STLArgus.com
January 2005—Present
Editor of the website and blog of The St. Louis Argus
Staff Writer, North County/Northside Journals
December 2005—Present
Reporter for The Suburban Journals of St. Louis, covering education issues in north St. Louis County.
Editor, The St. Louis Argus
June 2004—June 2005
As news editor of The St. Louis Argus, the oldest black business in Missouri and the oldest black newspaper west of the Mississippi river, French assembled and led a team of journalists, photojournalists, and designers charged with rebuilding the 93-year-old paper. After just six months, the paper doubled its circulation, successfully launched a popular website (www.stlargus.com) and has been praised in publications such as The St. Louis Journalism Review for its “strong comeback.”
Other Professional Experience:
Legislative Liaison, Missouri Department of Corrections
April 2001—December 2001
Chief lobbyist for the Department. Served as liaison between the Department and the Governor’s office, the Senate, and the House. Lobbied for overtime pay for Correction Officers, an Offender Restitution Program, and the successful passage of “Jake’s Law,†requiring warrant checks be performed before prisoners are released.
Proprietor, The Javacom Café
September 1997 – August 1999
Owner of a cyber bookstore cafe and bar located in Auburn, Alabama.
Other Activities and Honors
Activities and Honors:
Substitute Teacher, Jennings School District
Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s Political Education Boot Camp, 2004
Named â€One of Missouri’s Most Magnetic People†by St. Louis Magazine, April 2001
Past Steering Committee Member, Metropolis St. Louis
Past Board Member, Double Helix Corporation, operator of KDHX 88.1 and DHTV
National Dean’s List
Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity
Education:
B.A., Political Science, Auburn University
Christian Brothers College High School (St. Louis, MO)