Politico calls John Michael Gonzalez “one of the most talented and nimble Democratic senior staffers on the Hill.” He began his political career as an appointee for Texas Governor Ann Richards. In 2003 he became Chief of Staff for Congressman Chris Bell (D-Tex.). Prior to joining Peck, Madigan, Jones & Stewart, he served as Chief of Staff for New Democrat Coalition Co-Chair, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-Ill.), since her 2004 upset victory of longtime incumbent Phil Crane. In 2006, when Congresswoman Bean was facing her first re-election as the top ‘Frontline’ Republican target, Mr. Gonzalez successfully planned and executed a winning re-election strategy, raising $4.3 million and earning the most support for any incumbent from the US Chamber of Commerce. The most expensive incumbent race in the country in 2006, it was named one of the five best run by The Washington Post.

Based on this success, House Leadership asked Mr. Gonzalez to assist in incumbent protection for the new “Majority Maker” class of 2006. He continues to serve as a mentor for freshman Members and Chiefs of Staff and advises Leadership and the moderate New Dem and Blue Dog Coalitions on incumbent protection issues.

In 2007, Mr. Gonzalez helped bring Third Way to the House of Representatives, recruiting six key House leaders as Co-Chairs. This brought key progressive, pro-growth research and resources to House Members, Caucus Leadership and the DCCC.

In 2007, Mr. Gonzalez helped Obama Campaign for Change National Co-Chair Melissa Bean coordinate a successful House “super-delegate” operation for President Obama. He served on the Obama-Biden Transition Project in the office of Congressional Affairs and was responsible for Congressional outreach to the House Committees on Financial Services, Energy & Commerce, and Small Business. The National Journal said that Mr. Gonzalez “stands tall on the talent scorecard kept by Obama’s designated White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.”

Mr. Gonzalez helped lead efforts among House Democrats to pass the TARP legislation in late 2008, and has been a key player in current efforts to create a federal insurance regulator, founding the New Democrat Coalition's task force on regulatory modernization. He has been a leader on trade in the House Democratic Caucus, advocating successfully for Peru and working on Colombia, Panama, and Korea FTA’s.