Abigail Turner
Washington,DC
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Policy and Communications Advisor
Polaris National Security
12.2023 - Current
- Prepare comprehensive talking points for founder's national security TV and radio appearances.
- Craft remarks and moderator questions for founder's speaking events and panels with elected officials, foreign leaders, and former cabinet members.
- Assist with "The Morgan Ortagus Show" production by drafting questions, monologue topics, and booking guests.
- Assist in developing messaging documents on national security for Hill staff and congressional candidates.
- Compile research for national security op-eds.
- Execute rapid response messaging on social media on key foreign policy topics.
- Compile quarterly reports for donors and facilitate minute-taking during monthly board meetings.
Legislative Aide (National Security)
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Continued previous duties as legislative correspondent.
- Served as the office correspondence manager, leading the mail team with IQ and generated weekly statistics on our output to constituents.
- Attended hearings, weekly committee meetings, and floor speech.
- Drafted vote recommendations at both the committee and floor level for nominees and legislation.
Legislative Correspondent (National Security)
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
05.2022 - 08.2023
- Wrote constituent letters for the national security portfolio.
- Prepared briefing papers to provide the Senator with background and agenda items prior to his meetings with State Department nominees, foreign ambassadors, and defense and veteran organizations, as well as constituent groups.
- Staffed Senator’s in-office meetings, primarily focused on Middle East issues.
- Conducted meetings with lobbying, advocacy, and stakeholder groups within the Texas constituency to address global policy issues, particularly pertaining to Texas concerns.
- Drafted decision memos to analyze cosponsorship and cosignatory opportunities for the Senator.
- Assisted with preparation for Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings and business meetings.
Staff Assistant
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
10.2021 - 04.2022
- Managed and processed constituent inquiries including one hundred flag requests per month as well as certificates to honor the milestones of constituents, and U.S. Capitol tour requests.
- Greeted, escorted, and served as the first point of contact for 30 million constituents via phone operations.
- Conducted interviews with potential intern candidates, served as their day-to-day supervisor and mentor to navigate Capitol Hill, and facilitated their assistance with legislative tasks with our policy team.
- Supplemented the national security team with various projects.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Near Eastern & Judaic Studies
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA05-2021
National Security Fellowships/Experiences
- U.S.-Iran Strategic Competition (September 2023- May 2024)
The Public Interest Fellowship & Alexander Hamilton Society - JINSA Congressional National Security Program to Israel (August 2023)
- Foreign Policy Fellowship Program (March 2023 - May 2023)
The Wilson Center - George C. Marshall Fellowship (March 2023 - November 2023)
The Heritage Foundation - Congressional Defense Seminar Series (February 2023 - March 2023)
Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments - Heritage Congressional Fellowship (February 2022 - July 2022)
The Heritage Foundation
Timeline
Policy and Communications Advisor
Polaris National Security
12.2023 - Current
Legislative Aide (National Security)
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
09.2023 - 12.2023
Legislative Correspondent (National Security)
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
05.2022 - 08.2023
Staff Assistant
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
10.2021 - 04.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Near Eastern & Judaic Studies
Brandeis University