Tara Setmayer is a prominent political commentator and the Co-Founder and CEO of The Seneca Project, where she leverages her extensive experience in political communications. Previously, she served as a CNN political commentator and contributed to ABC News, becoming a familiar face on programs such as ABC’s The View and Good Morning America. Her insightful analysis and candid commentary during the 2016 presidential election cycle earned her recognition as one of Vulture.com’s “Top 20 Election Coverage Stars.” In 2020, she joined The Lincoln Project as a Senior Advisor and host of the live show The Breakdown, further solidifying her influence in political discourse.
Setmayer’s career spans over 27 years in political communications, including a significant role as the Communications Director for Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher. During her tenure, she successfully led the national effort to secure a presidential commutation for Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. Her expertise in immigration and federal law enforcement policy has made her a respected voice in these critical areas. Additionally, she has served as a community liaison in South Florida, advocating for affordable housing and services for the homeless, showcasing her commitment to social issues.
In 2017, Setmayer was appointed as a Board Director for Stand Up Republic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending democratic norms and ideals. She has also contributed to various publications, including Cosmopolitan and The Daily Beast, and has guest-hosted on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel, further expanding her reach in media.
Currently, Setmayer is a University of Virginia Center for Politics Resident Scholar and has narrated the PBS documentary “Dismantling Democracy.” Her work continues to focus on political issues that shape America’s future, and she remains a sought-after commentator on major news networks, including MSNBC and CNN, where she provides her unfiltered perspective on pressing political matters.