Blue Dogs Tap LaVigne to Serve as new Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The Blue Dog Coalition has hired Andy LaVigne to serve as its executive director.

LaVigne previously served as the political director for the International Association of Fire Fighters. He will work alongside Brooke Lillard, who has served as the Coalition’s communications director over the past four years, and Krista Wunsche, who has served as its policy coordinator for the past year.

Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., the Blue Dog co-chair for administration, said in a written statement on Monday that LaVigne’s “extensive experience will be an asset to the Coalition as we push for pragmatic legislative solutions that can become law and move our country forward.

“As we look to the future, I am confident that Andy’s expertise will enable the Coalition to continue to build on its legacy of policy success. I am proud to welcome him to the team,” Murphy said.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Andy LaVigne has 18 years of experience working in politics.

From 2002 to 2011, LaVigne worked on a number of campaigns in several states. Since 2011, he has worked for the International Association of Fire Fighters , the country’s largest union representing firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

He was promoted to deputy political director in 2013 and became the union’s political director in 2017.

LaVigne holds a degree in Political Science and History from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Jessica Post, and their dog and cat.

His bio also notes he’s a fan of Marquette Basketball, Blues hockey, and Cardinals baseball, and is an avid fly fisherman.

“I’m truly honored to start my work with the Blue Dog Coalition this week, LaVigne said. “Americans want a government that gets down to business and makes the kind of commonsense policy choices that reflect their values—looking out for our neighbors and communities, respecting hard work, and living within our means.

“I’ve spent the last ten years helping IAFF firefighters and paramedics advance their agenda, and I learned from them that when you are facing an emergency, you put aside your differences and work together as a team to get the job done. Blue Dogs operate that way too—bringing Republicans and Democrats together to solve the big challenges we all face as Americans—and I can’t wait to be a part of this team,” he said.