Sterling Rettke
Founder & Principal
Sterling Rettke is the founder and principal of Louisburg Strategies, a political consulting firm based in Washington State. The firm partners with candidates, local parties, and mission-driven organizations to sharpen their strategy, optimize their budgets, and win tough fights.
His career in politics began on the ground, knocking doors as a volunteer in his college town. From there he worked his way up, serving as a campaign staffer, managing local legislative races, and later supporting federal campaigns and national coalitions. His track record includes helping elect President Biden in the critical swing state of Nevada in 2020, working on Senator Patty Murray’s high-stakes re-election campaign in 2022, and consulting on projects like the effort to protect Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) by defeating Initiative 2117 in 2024.
Through this journey—whether volunteering, working as a staffer, running campaigns, or advising as a consultant—Sterling has gained experience at every level of politics: local, state, federal, and presidential. This deep understanding of what it takes to succeed, combined with strategic thinking, equips him to tackle challenges effectively, no matter the size of the race or the complexity of the problem.
Beyond political campaigns, his experience includes valuable roles in the nonprofit and private sectors. This includes managing a large-dollar client portfolio as a business consultant and supporting critical data operations at a Los Angeles–based nonprofit. In every role, Sterling applies a consistent, results-oriented mindset: identify challenges, build effective solutions, and leave organizations stronger.
His political roots run deep. Raised in a union household by a pipefitter dad and a community-minded mom, his interest in labor and politics began early. This foundation fueled his advocacy, leading him to help organize one of the first campaign staff unions in the country in 2020.
Today, through Louisburg Strategies, Sterling partners with Democratic candidates, county parties, nonprofits, and small businesses. He advises on critical needs such as strategic planning, budget optimization, organizational development, and campaign management support, always focusing on practical, scalable solutions. He thrives in high-pressure environments – the kind where there's too much to do and not enough time – precisely the conditions where effective strategy makes the biggest difference.
Outside of work, Sterling is a die-hard Boston sports fan, a casual but competitive tennis player, and a Curb Your Enthusiasm enthusiast who believes that social awkwardness is just a form of political strategy.
Our Mission.
We empower party leaders, candidates, causes, and organizations to ignite meaningful, lasting change across communities and industries. We craft tailored strategies to propel our clients toward their goals and amplify their impact.
Our Vision.
Our vision is to cultivate a deeply engaged and locally resourced foundation, where strategic mobilization at the local level ignites widespread civic participation, empowered by our collaborative campaign guidance, positioning communities to become architects of their own progress.
Our Capabilities.
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Partner with leaders to translate their vision into clear, actionable strategies that drive meaningful change. We provide the expert guidance to navigate complexities and direct your efforts for maximum impact.
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Help campaigns and organizations optimize resources, streamline operations, and align budgets directly with your mission. We deliver practical solutions that clarify roles, eliminate waste, and ensure your daily work amplifies your values and strategic aims.
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Craft targeted messaging and outreach strategies designed to resonate with the audiences you need to reach for success. We provide the tactical expertise to ensure your message lands effectively and drives the desired outcomes.
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Guide candidates and organizations in building enduring capacity through focused leadership development and intentional fundraising strategies. We empower your team with the skills, systems, and mindset needed to move beyond immediate needs and build a foundation for lasting impact.
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Empower your campaign or organization with the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence. We develop tailored AI strategies, seamlessly integrate AI solutions into your operations, and map out key opportunities for impactful implementation. Unlock data-driven insights to enhance decision-making and achieve your strategic goals.