Nick Ayers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nick Ayers
Ayers in 2017
Chief of Staff to the Vice President
In office July 28, 2017 – January 1, 2019
Vice President	Mike Pence
Preceded by	Josh Pitcock
Succeeded by	Marc Short
Personal details
Born	James Nicholas Ayers (1982-08-16) August 16, 1982 (age 42) Cobb County, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jamie Floyd ​ (m. 2005)​
Children	3
Education	Kennesaw State University (BA)

James Nicholas Ayers (born August 16, 1982) is an American political expert and advisor. He worked as the Chief of Staff for Vice President Mike Pence. This important role lasted from July 2017 to January 2019.

Before that, Nick Ayers was a key leader in Mike Pence's campaign for Vice President in 2016. He also served as the main director for the Republican Governors Association. This group helps Republican governors get elected and do their jobs.

In 2010, Time magazine recognized him as one of the 40 most influential people in politics under 40 years old. He also helped start a group called America First Policies. This group supports the policies of former President Donald Trump.

In late 2018, many news groups thought he might become the White House Chief of Staff. This job is the top assistant to the President. However, he decided not to take the job and left the Trump administration.

Early Life and School

Nick Ayers grew up in Cobb County, Georgia. When he was young, his parents taught him to respect public service. This means helping the community and country through government work.

He finished South Cobb High School in 2000. After high school, he went to Kennesaw State University. He earned a degree in political science in 2009. He also studied in the United Kingdom for a while.

His Political Journey

Starting in Politics: College and First Campaign (2001–2003)

While in college, Nick Ayers joined the College Republicans. This is a group for college students who support the Republican Party. He became the president of his school's chapter.

During this time, he met Sonny Perdue. Perdue was planning to run for governor of Georgia. Ayers joined Perdue's campaign. He worked as Perdue's "body man." This meant he drove Perdue and helped with his schedule.

Ayers had planned to become a banker. But working with Perdue changed his mind. He decided to make a career in politics. Perdue won the election in 2002. He became the first Republican governor of Georgia since the Reconstruction period.

Ayers chose to work as a senior advisor to the governor. He continued his college studies at night and on weekends. He earned his degree in 2009.

Managing a Re-election Campaign (2004–2006)

In 2004, when he was only 22, Ayers became the manager for Governor Perdue's re-election campaign. He was seen as a rising star in the Republican Party.

Two years later, Perdue won re-election by a large amount. Ayers managed the entire campaign.

Leading the Republican Governors Association (2007–2010)

Governor Perdue became the chairman of the Republican Governors Association (RGA). He chose Nick Ayers to be its executive director. The RGA helps Republican governors and candidates.

Ayers and his colleague, Paul Bennecke, created a four-year plan. They wanted to make the RGA more professional. They also wanted to help more Republican governors get elected.

When Ayers started, Republicans held only 22 governorships. When he left in 2011, they held 29. This was a gain of seven governorships. The RGA's budget also grew a lot under his leadership. This success made Ayers known as a political "wunderkind," meaning someone very talented at a young age.

Working with the Republican National Committee (2010–2011)

After his success at the RGA, Ayers was considered for a top job. He could have become the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). The RNC is the main organization for the Republican Party.

However, he decided not to seek the position. Instead, he helped Reince Priebus become the RNC chairman. After Priebus was elected, Ayers helped with the changeover. He helped make important changes to the RNC's staff and operations.

Advising Campaigns and Businesses (2011–2016)

After leaving the RGA, Ayers worked as a partner at an advertising firm. He also started his own political consulting firm, C5 Creative Consulting.

In 2011, he took a break to manage the presidential campaign for Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty did not do well in the race and soon dropped out. Ayers took responsibility for the campaign's outcome.

He also started a company called Advance Media Capital. This company bought TV ad time in important states before the 2016 election. They then sold this time to groups supporting candidates.

In 2013, he helped Bruce Rauner run for governor of Illinois. Rauner won, becoming the first Republican governor of Illinois in 12 years. Ayers also helped Tom Cotton and David Perdue win their races for the U.S. Senate in 2014.

In 2016, he was a strategist for several campaigns. These included Governor Mike Pence's re-election campaign in Indiana.

Leading Pence's Vice-Presidential Campaign (2016)

When Mike Pence was chosen to be Donald Trump's running mate for Vice President, Nick Ayers was the first person Trump's team contacted. Ayers helped with the process of checking Pence's background. He also handled the talks between Governor Pence and Donald Trump.

Within two weeks, Pence was officially named to the national ticket. Ayers became the chairman of Pence's campaign efforts. He helped prepare Pence for his convention speech and the Vice Presidential debate.

After the Election: Transition and New Roles

After the 2016 election, Ayers became a senior advisor for the Presidential Transition team. This group helped prepare for the new President to take office. Again, his name was mentioned as a possible chairman for the Republican National Committee. He was a strong candidate but did not get the job.

In January 2017, Ayers and other Trump-Pence aides started America First Policies. This is a new non-profit group. It works to support the policies of the Trump administration.

Ayers was also important in advising Trump to choose two people from Georgia for his Cabinet. These were Sonny Perdue and Tom Price. Ayers said this showed the President's good choices and his appreciation for Georgia.

Ayers also invested in a news website for young conservatives called Independent Journal Review. He also invested in Georgia-based businesses in healthcare and technology. Another company he founded, Holmsted, LLC, invested in forestry and pecans in Georgia.

Chief of Staff to the Vice President (2017–2019)

On June 29, 2017, it was announced that Nick Ayers would become Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff. He officially started the job on July 28, 2017. This role meant he was the top assistant and advisor to the Vice President. Ayers announced he would leave the administration at the end of 2018.

After Working for Pence

In August 2020, Ayers and Donald Trump Jr. worked to stop the Pebble Mine project in Alaska. This project has been very controversial for many years. Ayers said he hoped President Trump would tell the Environmental Protection Agency to block the project. Many people in Alaska and other states were against it.

Personal Life

Nick Ayers lives in Atlanta with his wife, Jamie. She used to be a schoolteacher. They got married in May 2005. Jamie Ayers is a cousin of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. The Ayers family has triplets, who were born in December 2012.

He is also on the board of directors for Leading the Way. This is an international Christian organization. Nick Ayers has been very successful in his business and political career.