Cynthia “Cindy” Brust is the campaign manager for Ginger Soud’s mayoral campaign.
WHAT ARE HER RESPONSIBILITIES?
As the campaign manager, she has a hand in virtually every aspect of Soud’s mayoral campaign, including fundraising, meeting with the media, coordinating volunteers and acting as liaison with professional political consultants. She is also responsible for shaping a campaign message with Soud, formulating a strategy and and determining what issues are most important.
WHAT IS HER POLITICAL EXPERIENCE?
By her estimations, Brust has worked on 15-20 campaigns over the last two decades — some successful, some not. A professional high point for her was her work on U.S. Rep. Carroll Campbell’s campaign in the 1980s.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES?
“Over the last 15 years, I have taught extensively in the Christian community throughout the Southeast in numerous churches.” She was also the director of public relations at Midland (Texas) Memorial Hospital from 1984 to 1986 before she took a sabbatical to rear her children.
HOW DID SHE BECOME SOUD’S CAMPAIGN MANAGER?
Word of mouth. Her husband, Rev. Canon Ellis Brust, got to talking with Soud at the Billy Graham Crusade. One thing led to another. “It frankly sort of evolved. I was not looking for a job.”
HOMETOWN?
Winnsboro, S.C.
HIGHER EDUCATION
She graduated from Converse College (a women’s college near Spartanburg, S.C.) with a bachelor’s degree in political science and religion.
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN IN JACKSONVILLE?
Since 1999.
FAMILY
She and her husband Ellis have two children, William, 15, and Rebecca,12.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN LESSONS TO LEARN?
“How dirty people play. That was hard for me. When people really go after personal attacks of candidates themselves, I find that troublesome.”
IT COULD COME DOWN TO PERSONAL ATTACKS. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW GINGER SO YOU CAN DEFEND ACCUSATIONS?
“You have to be very realistic in a campaign and be able to say, ‘What are the other candidates perspective of you?’ We’ve had a couple of retreat times. I’ve gotten to get to know her personally as well as her issues. I think Ginger has an impeccable record of integrity. People would be hard-pressed to levy personal attacks.”
WHAT DREW YOU INTO POLITICS?
“This may sound trite and hackneyed, but we should leave the world a better place than we’ve found it, both in the church and political arena.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF THIS CAMPAIGN?
“The most important thing in this campaign is to articulate who Ginger Soud is. That ranges from her vision and her plan to her administration abilities. We have to make sure the people of Jacksonville know who she is and what she has done.”
WHAT IS THE EASIEST PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN?
“[Soud’s] instincts. Her record. She is one of the easiest candidates I have ever worked with.”
HOW OFTEN DO YOU AND SOUD MEET?
“We talk every day, but we generally have a weekly planning session.”
— by Glenn Tschimpke