James Dickey
Former Chairman, Republican Party of Texas
James Dickey is the founder and principal of JD Key Consulting, with more than 20 years of experience in regulated industries, government affairs, and political leadership. As former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas (2017-2020), he led the largest state party organization in America.
Leadership Results
Political Infrastructure Expertise
From 2017 to 2020, James Dickey served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—the largest state party organization in America. Under his leadership, the party achieved unprecedented grassroots success.
- ◆223,000 new Texas voters registered through party programs
- ◆3,862 Republican candidates recruited for the 2018 primary—a historical record
- ◆2 million voters participated in the March 2020 presidential primary
Before serving as State Chairman, James led the Travis County Republican Party from 2014-2017, building political infrastructure in Texas's most politically competitive county. This experience provides unique insight into how Texas politics actually works at the infrastructure level—not just the lobbying level.
Regulated Industry Expertise
James Dickey brings two decades of experience in highly regulated industries, providing practical compliance insight that most government affairs consultants lack.
Insurance & Financial Services
- Co-founder and COO, iMGA—an Austin-based insurance technology company
- Board Member, iManaging General Agency Holdings, LLC
- Prior roles at Kemper Insurance, Great American Insurance, and Republic Group
- Years of hands-on securities and insurance compliance experience
Energy Regulatory Affairs
- Member, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC)
- Experience with multi-state regulatory coordination and state-federal interplay
- Understanding of energy policy from both regulatory and industry perspectives
Education
Stanford University
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Bachelor of Arts, English
Baylor University
Master of Business Administration
Principal-Led Engagement
Unlike large lobbying firms that assign junior associates to client accounts, JD Key Consulting provides direct, principal-led engagement. Every client works directly with James—not account managers or associates.
When your project requires specialized lobbying or sector expertise, James brings in carefully vetted partners from his network of Texas government affairs professionals. You approve every addition to your team.
"Unlike large lobbying firms, every client works directly with me—a former state party chairman with deep relationships in Texas government."
— James Dickey
This Model Delivers:
- Intellectual rigor from a Stanford/Baylor-trained strategist
- Political insight from someone who ran the party infrastructure
- Tactical execution from specialized partners when needed
- Cost efficiency from a boutique structure without overhead bloat
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James Dickey?
James Dickey is the founder and principal of JD Key Consulting, a Texas-based government affairs firm. He served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from 2017 to 2020, leading the largest state party organization in America. During his tenure, he registered 223,000 new voters and recruited a record 3,862 candidates for the 2018 primary.
What is James Dickey's educational background?
James Dickey holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and English from Stanford University, and a Master of Business Administration from Baylor University.
What industries does JD Key Consulting specialize in?
JD Key Consulting specializes in government affairs and regulatory compliance for data centers, energy (including nuclear), banking and financial services, and manufacturing. James Dickey brings over 20 years of experience in regulated industries, including roles at major insurance companies and membership on the IOGCC Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee.
What makes JD Key Consulting different from large lobbying firms?
Unlike large lobbying firms that assign junior associates to client accounts, JD Key Consulting provides principal-led engagement. Every client works directly with James Dickey—a former State Party Chairman with deep relationships in Texas government. When specialized expertise is needed, James brings in carefully vetted partners from his network.
What is James Dickey's experience in energy regulation?
James Dickey serves on the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), giving him direct experience with multi-state energy regulatory coordination. This background provides unique insight into state-federal regulatory interplay for energy policy, including emerging issues around data centers and nuclear energy.
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Ready to Discuss Your Government Affairs Needs?
Schedule a confidential consultation with James to discuss how JD Key Consulting can help your business navigate Texas regulatory complexity.