Mercury Public Affairs announced Tuesday that Brian Hughes has joined the firm as a Partner and will lead its Tallahassee office.
Hughes most recently served as Chief of Staff at NASA after working as Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications at the White House. He was also a senior adviser to President Donald Trump’s successful 2024 campaign and served as Florida campaign director.
“Brian demonstrated steady leadership, sound judgment, and a strong sense of urgency in service of NASA’s mission,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “His contributions have had a lasting impact on both our organization and how we operate, and I wish him continued success as he takes this next step.”
Mercury Partner Ashley Walker said, “Brian’s leadership will immediately translate into wins for our Florida clients. He understands how policy is made in Tallahassee, how it connects to federal decision-making, and how to deliver results in complex political environments. Brian brings a rare combination of federal, state, and campaign experience that will strengthen our platform for clients nationwide.”
And Mercury Partner Danielle Alvarez added, “Brian and I have worked side by side to advance President Trump’s agenda and I know that his deep understanding of politics, policy and communications will be invaluable to our operation. His decision to join Mercury reflects our continued national growth and our ability to operate seamlessly across state capitals and Washington. We’re thrilled to have him working with our federal team and leading our Tallahassee operation.”
Hughes has deep roots in Florida government, having previously served as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Jacksonville and as Chief of Staff to former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. He also held senior roles within former Gov. Rick Scott’s administration and the Republican Party of Florida.
“I’m looking forward to joining Mercury at a time of significant growth and opportunity for the firm and their clients,” Hughes said. “They have built a best-in-class team and a platform that sits at the intersection of federal and state communications and advocacy, and I look forward to expanding our Tallahassee presence while partnering closely with the D.C. team to deliver results for our clients.”
