Career Timeline of Corey Lewandowski: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Corey Lewandowski built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Corey Lewandowski is an American political operative, lobbyist, commentator, and author known for his close association with Donald Trump. He served as the initial campaign manager for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign before being dismissed during the Republican Primary. Following his campaign role, Lewandowski transitioned into media, working as a political commentator for One America News Network (OANN) and Fox News, further solidifying his presence in the political and media landscape.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1994: Ran for Massachusetts House of Representatives

In 1994, while an undergraduate student, Corey Lewandowski ran for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a write-in candidate in the Republican primary. He received 143 votes, falling short of the 150 votes needed to win the party's nomination.

January 1996: Worked as Aide for Congressman Torkildsen

Beginning in January 1996, Corey Lewandowski worked as an aide for Republican Massachusetts Congressman Peter G. Torkildsen while a graduate student at American University.

January 1997: Continued Work as Aide and Interned for State Senator

In January 1997, Corey Lewandowski continued working as an aide for Congressman Peter G. Torkildsen while also interning for Massachusetts State Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos, a Democrat, while he was still a student.

December 1997: Worked as Administrative Assistant for Bob Ney

From December 1997, Corey Lewandowski worked as an administrative assistant for Ohio Republican Bob Ney, a U.S. Congressman.

February 2001: End of time as Administrative Assistant for Bob Ney

In February 2001, Corey Lewandowski stopped working as an administrative assistant for Ohio Republican Bob Ney, a U.S. Congressman.

2001: Worked for Republican National Committee

After leaving Ney's office, Corey Lewandowski worked most of 2001 for the Republican National Committee as the Northeast legislative political director.

2002: Campaign Manager for Robert C. Smith

In 2002, Corey Lewandowski was the campaign manager for the re-election campaign of U.S. Senator Robert C. Smith of New Hampshire.

2003: Executive Director of New England Seafood Producers Association

From 2003, Corey Lewandowski was the executive director of the New England Seafood Producers Association.

September 2004: Director of Public Affairs at Schwartz MSL

From September 2004, Corey Lewandowski served as director of public affairs at Schwartz MSL.

2004: Continued as executive director of New England Seafood Producers Association

In 2004, Corey Lewandowski continued as executive director of the New England Seafood Producers Association.

2006: Graduated from New Hampshire Police Academy

In 2006, Corey Lewandowski graduated from the New Hampshire police academy and began working as a seasonal marine patrol officer trainee with the New Hampshire Division of Safety Services.

2008: Passport Systems Secured Federal Funds

Between 2008 and 2011, Passport Systems secured more than $23.9 million in federal funds.

2008: Began Working for Americans for Prosperity

In 2008, Corey Lewandowski began working for Americans for Prosperity, a Koch brothers-backed advocacy group, overlapping with his tenure as a marine patrol officer trainee and registered federal lobbyist.

2010: Secured Earmark for Borrego Solar

In 2010, Corey Lewandowski lobbied for Borrego Solar, helping to secure a $500,000 earmark in the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act that benefited a solar electricity project in Lancaster, Massachusetts.

2010: End of time as Marine Patrol Officer Trainee

In 2010, Corey Lewandowski stopped working as a seasonal marine patrol officer trainee with the New Hampshire Division of Safety Services.

2011: Lobbyist for Passport Systems

In 2011, Corey Lewandowski was registered as a lobbyist for Schwartz MSL on behalf of Passport Systems, lobbying on homeland security issues.

July 2012: End of time as Director of Public Affairs at Schwartz MSL

Until July 2012, Corey Lewandowski served as director of public affairs at Schwartz MSL.

2012: Unsuccessfully Ran for Town Treasurer

In 2012, while still working for Americans for Prosperity, Corey Lewandowski unsuccessfully ran for town treasurer of Windham, New Hampshire.

January 2015: Became Trump's Campaign Manager

In January 2015, Corey Lewandowski accepted an offer from Donald Trump to become campaign manager, with a salary of $20,000 per month.

January 2015: Left Americans for Prosperity

In January 2015, Corey Lewandowski left Americans for Prosperity where he was the national director of voter registration.

August 2015: Sam Nunberg Dismissed

In August 2015, Sam Nunberg was dismissed from Trump's political staff, he believes because Lewandowski and Hope Hicks asked Trump for his ouster.

February 9, 2016: Trump Acknowledged Lewandowski's Role

On February 9, 2016, after a win in New Hampshire, Donald Trump acknowledged Corey Lewandowski's role in the win by praising his ground game.

April 2016: Paul Manafort Hired

In April 2016, Paul Manafort was hired to the Trump campaign, later named "campaign chairman."

April 2016: Lewandowski's Influence Waning

In April 2016, it was reported that Corey Lewandowski's influence within the Trump campaign was waning.

July 2016: Lewandowski hired by CNN as political commentator

In July 2016, Corey Lewandowski was hired by CNN as a political commentator shortly after leaving the Trump campaign, remaining subject to a non-disclosure agreement. CNN hosts began disclosing Lewandowski's severance payments before his appearances after Media Matters for America raised concerns.

November 11, 2016: Lewandowski resigns as CNN commentator

On November 11, 2016, Corey Lewandowski resigned from his position as a CNN commentator amidst speculations that he would be joining the Trump administration.

December 21, 2016: Co-founded Avenue Strategies

On December 21, 2016, Corey Lewandowski co-founded Avenue Strategies, a lobbying firm located near the White House.

2016: Campaign Manager for Trump

In 2016, Corey Lewandowski was the first campaign manager of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, but was later dismissed by Trump during the Republican Primary. Following this, he became a political commentator for One America News Network (OANN) and Fox News.

May 4, 2017: Lewandowski leaves Avenue Strategies

On May 4, 2017, Corey Lewandowski departed from Avenue Strategies.

May 12, 2017: Lewandowski incorporates Lewandowski Strategic Advisors

On May 12, 2017, Corey Lewandowski incorporated Lewandowski Strategic Advisors in Delaware and sought to recruit David Bossie and George Gigicos.

May 2017: Left Avenue Strategies

In May 2017, Corey Lewandowski left Avenue Strategies, the lobbying firm he had co-founded.

July 2017: Community Choice Financial offers Lewandowski a retainer

In July 2017, Community Choice Financial, a payday lender, offered Corey Lewandowski a $20,000-a-month retainer.

July 31, 2017: Lewandowski fired from OANN

On July 31, 2017, Corey Lewandowski was fired from One America News Network (OANN) for making appearances on news networks outside of OANN.

June 20, 2018: Lewandowski dropped by speakers bureau

On June 20, 2018, Corey Lewandowski was dropped by Leading Authorities, Inc., a speakers bureau based in Washington D.C.

August 1, 2019: Considering Senate Run

On August 1, 2019, Corey Lewandowski announced he was "very seriously" considering seeking the Republican nomination to oppose incumbent Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen in the 2020 United States Senate election in New Hampshire.

December 2019: Lewandowski Visits Israel

In December 2019, Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie visited Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, offering strategic advice for Netanyahu's upcoming election campaign.

December 31, 2019: Lewandowski Declines Senate Run

On December 31, 2019, Corey Lewandowski announced via tweet that he would not run for Senate in New Hampshire, stating that he was certain he would have won.

January 2020: Decided Not to Run for Senate

In January 2020, Corey Lewandowski ultimately decided not to run for Senate, while stating that he "would have won" had he run.

December 2020: Lewandowski appointed to and removed from Defense Business Board

In December 2020, Christopher Miller appointed Corey Lewandowski to the Defense Business Board, but the Pentagon later prevented him from being seated, and Lloyd Austin subsequently fired him.

2020: Possible Senate Run

In 2020, Corey Lewandowski considered seeking the Republican nomination to oppose Jeanne Shaheen in the U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire, following attempts by the Republican National Committee to draft him.

2020: Trump Praises Lewandowski at Rally

In 2020, at a Donald Trump presidential campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Trump praised Lewandowski and encouraged him to enter the race. Lewandowski, present in the audience, declined to comment on his candidacy.

September 2021: Lewandowski Removed as Super PAC Chairman

In September 2021, Corey Lewandowski was removed from his role as chairman of the super PAC Make America Great Again Action following reports of sexual harassment accusations from a donor.

August 15, 2024: Joined Trump Campaign as Senior Advisor

On August 15, 2024, Corey Lewandowski joined the 2024 Donald Trump presidential campaign as a senior advisor.

October 7, 2024: Lewandowski's Role in Trump Campaign Narrowed

On October 7, 2024, it was reported that Corey Lewandowski, a senior advisor to the Trump campaign, was directed to focus on being a surrogate in New Hampshire. This decision came after Lewandowski reportedly lost an internal power struggle for control of the campaign.

April 8, 2025: Lewandowski Accompanies DHS Secretary at Immigration Raid

On April 8, 2025, Corey Lewandowski accompanied DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at an immigration raid, introducing himself as “chief of staff.” DHS later clarified that he is an adviser to DHS and a special government employee.