Jeffrey P. Weaver facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeff Weaver
Personal details
Born	1966 (age 58–59) St. Albans, Vermont, U.S.
Education	University of Vermont (BA) Georgetown University (JD)

Jeffrey P. Weaver, born in 1966, is an American political strategist. He helps politicians plan their campaigns. He is well-known for working with Bernie Sanders. Weaver was the campaign manager for Sanders's presidential campaigns in 2016 and an advisor in 2020.

He also helped Sanders in his 2006 election for the United States Senate. Weaver was also a top assistant, called chief of staff, in Sanders's offices. In 2016, he became president of Our Revolution, a group started by Sanders. He wrote a book in 2018 called How Bernie Won. In 2023, he worked as a senior advisor for the Dean Phillips 2024 presidential campaign.

Jeff Weaver's Education

Jeff Weaver went to Missisquoi Valley Union High School in Swanton, Vermont. He graduated in 1983. After high school, he attended Boston University.

He later graduated from the University of Vermont. Then, he earned a law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Student Activism

While at Boston University, Jeff Weaver was involved in student protests. On April 24, 1986, he was arrested with 10 other students. They were protesting against the university's investments in companies that did business with South Africa. At that time, South Africa had a system called apartheid, which was unfair to many people.

The students built small huts, called shanties, on campus to show their protest. They tried to stop university workers from tearing them down. Weaver and other students also tried to prevent police from driving away. Some students were suspended, but Weaver received an honorable discharge from the Marines' Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

In 1986, Weaver and three other students also sued the university. They wanted the right to hang banners outside their dorms. The university said it had a rule against banners, but the students argued it was not fair. The courts agreed with the students. They ruled that the university could not stop the students from expressing their free speech.

Jeff Weaver's Career in Politics

Weaver's first job helping a political campaign was in 1986. He worked for Bernie Sanders's campaign for governor. Weaver's role was to drive Sanders around.

In 1987, Weaver decided to run for office himself. He ran for alderman in St. Albans City Ward 4. He was only 21 years old. He was known for helping new voters register. In 1990, Weaver ran for mayor of St. Albans. He ran as an Independent candidate but lost the election.

Weaver later worked for Bernie Sanders's successful campaign for Congress in 1990. After that, he became a legislative assistant for Sanders. He eventually became Sanders's chief of staff, which is a very important role. Weaver also managed Sanders's successful Senate campaign in 2006.

In 2009, after working for Sanders in the Senate, Weaver took a break from politics. He opened a comics and gaming store called Victory Comics in Falls Church, Virginia.

Working on Presidential Campaigns

In May 2015, Jeff Weaver returned to politics. He was chosen to be the campaign manager for Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign. The New York Times newspaper described Weaver as a trusted advisor to Sanders. They said he was known for being a strong and determined person in campaigns.

In August 2016, Weaver became the president of Our Revolution. This is a political organization started by Bernie Sanders. He held this position until June 2017.

In May 2018, Weaver's book was published. It was titled How Bernie Won: Inside the Revolution That's Taking Back Our Country--and Where We Go from Here. The book tells the story of the 2016 Sanders campaign. It also talks about the impact of the campaign.

In November 2023, Jeff Weaver became a senior advisor for Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips's presidential primary campaign.