Childhood and Education Journey of James Carville in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of James Carville. A timeline of key moments.

James Carville is an American political consultant, author, and commentator known for his work strategizing for political candidates both in the U.S. and internationally. As a prominent Democrat, he is a center-left leaning pundit frequently appearing on cable news, podcasts, and public speaking engagements, offering his insights on U.S. elections and political affairs.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

October 25, 1944: Chester James Carville Jr. Born

On October 25, 1944, Chester James Carville Jr., an American political consultant, author, and occasional actor, was born. He has strategized for candidates in the United States and at least 23 other nations. As a Democrat, he often appears on cable news and podcasts, offering center-left leaning punditry on U.S. elections.

Others born on this day/year

1962: Graduation from Ascension Catholic High School

In 1962, Carville graduated from Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

1962: Attendance at Louisiana State University

In 1962, James Carville began attending Louisiana State University (LSU).

1966: Enlistment in the United States Marine Corps

In 1966, Carville enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he was stationed stateside at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside.

1966: Departure from Louisiana State University

In 1966, Carville left Louisiana State University (LSU) without graduating at that time.

1968: End of Marine Corps Enlistment

In 1968, Carville completed his two-year enlistment in the United States Marine Corps, having attained the rank of corporal and been stationed stateside at Camp Pendleton.

1968: Arrested at Democratic National Convention

In 1968, Wofford was arrested at the Democratic National Convention for disorderly conduct.

1969: Santos attended the University of Kansas

In 1969, Juan Manuel Santos attended the University of Kansas for undergraduate studies.

1970: Earned Bachelor of Science Degree

In 1970, Carville completed his studies at LSU at night, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in general studies.

1973: Earned Juris Doctor Degree

In 1973, Carville earned his Juris Doctor degree from LSU. Carville is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

1973: Santos graduated with a degree in economics and business

In 1973, Juan Manuel Santos graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in economics and business.

1977: Ghani Earned Master's Degree

In 1977, Ashraf Ghani earned his master's degree from Columbia University.

1978: John Harper's Son Killed

In 1978, John Harper's son was shot and killed by Franklin County, Ohio, police during a pharmacy robbery.

1981: Santos became Fulbright visiting fellow

In 1981, Juan Manuel Santos returned to the U.S. as Fulbright visiting fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and also earned a master's degree from Harvard Kennedy School.

November 1984: Out of Work after Lloyd Doggett's Defeat

Following Lloyd Doggett's defeat in November 1984, Carville found himself out of work, facing financial insecurity and a lack of health insurance at the age of 40.

1988: Santos lectured as a Nieman Fellow

In 1988, Juan Manuel Santos lectured as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

April 1991: Heinz Killed in Plane Crash

In April 1991, after Senator John Heinz was killed in a plane crash, Carville planned to offer the Senate seat appointment to Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, who declined. Still, Casey ultimately decided to appoint Wofford.

1992: Mary Matalin works on Bush Sr.'s presidential reelection campaign

In 1992, Mary Matalin worked for Republican George H. W. Bush on his presidential reelection campaign.

1992: Campaign Consultant Recognition

In 1992, campaign consultants were viewed by a small audience. Now they are public celebrities.

October 1993: Marriage to Mary Matalin

In October 1993, James Carville married political consultant Mary Matalin in New Orleans. Mary Matalin had previously worked for Republican George H. W. Bush on his 1992 presidential reelection campaign.

1994: Democrats won control of both houses of Congress

During 2006 mid-terms, Democrats won control of both houses of Congress for the first time since the 1994 election.

1994: Newsweek Feature on Carville's Academic Performance

In 1994, Newsweek featured Carville, who described himself as a poor student, accumulating 56 hours of failing grades before being dismissed from LSU.

2000: Sponsorship with Playboy and Captain Morgan

In 2000, through Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS), James Carville enjoyed a sponsorship with Playboy media and Captain Morgan rum, which included a trip to Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion.

2004: Public Speaking Engagements

In 2004, The New York Times reported that James Carville was giving over 100 speeches annually to various audiences, including business groups, colleges, universities, and Democratic Party fundraising events. In 2004, his speaker's fee was $20,500 per hour plus expenses.

2005: Carville Taught at Northern Virginia Community College

In 2005, James Carville taught a semester of "Topics in American Politics" at Northern Virginia Community College, inviting guests like Al Hunt and George Stephanopoulos.

2008: Relocation to New Orleans

In 2008, James Carville and Mary Matalin relocated their family from Virginia to New Orleans.

January 2018: Carville Joined LSU Faculty

In January 2018, James Carville joined the faculty of Louisiana State University's Manship School of Mass Communication.

2019: Podcast Launch

In 2019, James Carville and Al Hunt launched the podcast.

February 2020: Proposal to Replace Democratic Primaries

In February 2020, James Carville suggested abandoning the Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses. Instead, he proposed that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should select the Democratic Party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Carville also suggested Mitt Romney should resign from the Senate and run the Democratic convention, and that he might write in Nancy Pelosi's name on his Louisiana ballot.

February 2020: Criticism of Bernie Sanders' Nomination

In February 2020, James Carville voiced his opposition to Bernie Sanders potentially winning the Democratic nomination, labeling Sanders a "communist" and Sanders' supporters as a "cult". Carville warned of dire consequences if Sanders were to win the Democratic nomination. He also criticized progressive Democratic policy positions such as student loan debt forgiveness and allowing "people voting from jail cells", and decried banning hydraulic fracking for shale gas.

November 2020: Incorrect Election Prediction

In November 2020, James Carville predicted that the outcome of the presidential election would be known by 10 p.m. on election day. However, it took the Associated Press four additional days to declare the winner. Politico subsequently included Carville's prediction among "the most audacious, confident and spectacularly incorrect prognostication about the year".

May 2021: Sale of Uptown New Orleans House

In May 2021, James Carville sold his house in Uptown New Orleans. Following the sale, he temporarily relocated to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

2022: Penn Progress Super Pac Support for Conor Lamb

In 2022, James Carville led the "Penn Progress" Super Pac, which spent all of its funds supporting Rep. Conor Lamb's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat left open by retiring Senator Pat Toomey. Conor Lamb worked closely with the Penn Progress SuperPac, and participated in donor calls arranged by Carville.

June 27, 2024: Call for Biden to End Re-election Bid

Following U.S. President Joe Biden's poor performance during the June 27, 2024 debate, James Carville was among those who urged Biden to end his campaign for re-election. Carville stated in a July 1 interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, "The country wants something new. Let them have it."

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October 11, 2024: Theatrical Release of Carville Documentary

James Carville's biographical documentary film, "Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!", had its theatrical release on October 11, 2024. The documentary was released after debuting at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival and covers the 18-month period where Carville persuaded Biden to end his re-election bid. Carville's position was later vindicated when Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris succeeded as Democratic nominee and eventually lost.

2024: Comments on Democratic Party Culture

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, James Carville argued in an interview with Maureen Dowd that the Democrats' political culture had become "too dominated by preachy females", which he claimed contributed to Democrats' declining support among black male voters. Carville made these statements in 2024.