David Popp: Senior adviser, former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)

David Popp is one of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) most valuable aides, having served for eight years as communications director in the Senate Republican leader’s office, where he directed the weekly message and communications strategy for the leader and the entire Senate Republican Conference.

Popp now serves as a senior adviser to McConnell and plays a key role in crafting messaging and media engagement strategy for the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which McConnell chairs. Popp also oversees communications for the Senate Rules Committee, which McConnell also chairs.

People who work closely with Popp know he’s meticulously organized and unflappable, good qualities to help steer a senator and his team through any crisis.

Popp, who hails from Ohio, decided to stay with McConnell’s team after the Kentucky Republican stepped down as leader following the 2024 election cycle to help McConnell have an outsized influence on the national security debate and to wind down an epic Senate career.

When he announced his retirement from leadership, McConnell made it clear that he would focus primarily on building up the nation’s defense infrastructure and defending its leadership role in the world — and Popp has worked diligently over the past two years to make that vision a reality.

McConnell, working closely with Popp, has carefully selected his moments to weigh in on the public debate, warning of the danger of U.S. isolationism and shutting down the idea of setting up a $1.8 billion compensation fund that could benefit people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

But McConnell, with Popp’s help, has had his biggest impact on the huge increase in defense spending during President Trump’s second term.

During the fiscal 2026 appropriations process, McConnell fought tirelessly for and secured billions of additional dollars in defense spending, including continued assistance and funding for Ukraine.

Before coming to the Senate, Popp served as communications director for the House Financial Services Committee and the House Republican Conference.

It total, he has compiled 20 years of experience mastering the strategy behind federal policymaking and legislative communications.

Popp is an avid golfer and graduated from Ohio University.