Former NASA Official Will Join Florida and DC Practice
Washington, D.C. / Tallahassee, FL — Mercury Public Affairs, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, today announced that Brian Hughes has joined the firm as a Partner. Hughes will lead Mercury’s Tallahassee office, expanding the firm’s presence in Florida’s state capital while continuing to work closely with the firm’s Washington, D.C. team on key federal issues.
Hughes brings extensive experience at the highest levels of public affairs, communications, and government affairs. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff at NASA, following his role as Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications at the White House. He was also a senior advisor to President Donald J. 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 Jared Isaacman, Administrator of NASA. “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.”
“Brian’s leadership will immediately translate into wins for our Florida clients,” said Ashley Walker, Mercury Partner. “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.”
“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,” said Mercury Partner Danielle Alvarez. “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 Governor 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,” said Hughes. “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.”
About Mercury
Mercury (www.mercuryllc.com) is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm providing federal and state government relations, international affairs, digital influence, public opinion research, media strategy, and grassroots mobilization in all 50 states.
