The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is a professional organization for those who work in various aspects of political campaigns. Political consultants are involved in the organizational and media aspects of all types of political campaigns for candidates and political issues at all levels of elections. Members include campaign managers, pollsters, media producers, fundraising specialists, lobbyists, and other political professionals. Members of all political parties, as well as independents, are included.

The AAPC was formed in 1969, although political consulting as a career existed decades before the official organization was chartered. Joseph Napolitan is credited by the organization with inventing the term “political consultant.” Napolitan served as the first president of the AAPC. The organization now has more than 1,100 members and maintains a permanent ...