Alex Nguyen: Communications director, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) 

Alex Nguyen’s job is not for the faint of heart.

He heads the media operations team for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has a reputation as a relentless and disciplined messenger who obsesses over every story.

But Nguyen’s easygoing West Coast attitude and his knack for keeping his eye on the big picture has made him one of the best communicators in leadership of either party.  

Nguyen plays a critical role in crafting the Senate Democrats’ messaging strategy — which is run largely out of Schumer’s office — with an eye toward keeping the media’s focus on Democratic accomplishments and keeping Senate Democrats disciplined and on message.

It’s something the Democratic caucus has become much better at since Schumer took over as party leader in 2017.  

Nguyen has a good rapport with members of the press despite the conflicts that inevitably arise between lawmakers and the Fourth Estate. 

He is always seen standing behind Schumer at leadership press conferences, and ready to lean in and listen intently to whatever whispered comment the Democratic leader makes when he walks away from the podium while another colleague is speaking at the microphone.  

Nguyen also has a better feel for the House than the vast majority of Senate staffers, given his more than 10 years of service in the lower chamber, where he handled press issues for Reps. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) as well as the Ways and Means Committee.