Eric Bearse is a 26-year veteran of politics and Austin, Texas-based speechwriter who wrote speeches for former Governor Rick Perry for more than a decade, including during his two presidential campaigns. He served as Governor Perry’s Director of Communications for three years, overseeing rapid response to numerous communications challenges, and implementation of a communications plan to pass the tax reform of the 2006 special session. Eric also wrote several speeches for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush during his 2016 presidential campaign, including a fall campaign re-branding speech.
While focused largely on politics in Texas, where he consulted for two previous House Speakers, several statewide elected officials, and numerous state lawmakers, Eric has expanded his speechwriting brand on a national level, to both federal and state officials across the country. He has penned several political speeches for Senator John Cornyn, contributed to Sen. Ted Cruz’s 2018 Gridiron speech, and has written major speeches for U.S. Senator Martha McSally, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, and President of the Kansas Senate Susan Wagle.
A native of Minnesota, Eric Bearse got his start in politics as an intern on Capitol Hill for Congressman Rod Grams (R-MN). Eric was a legislative correspondent for Grams once he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1995. He subsequently worked on two congressional campaigns in Texas, where he received a B.A. in Political Science from Texas A&M University. He moved to Austin in 1997, where he has lived for the last 22 years, working on statewide campaigns, including Rick Perry’s 1998 campaign for lieutenant governor, and 2002 and 2006 campaigns for governor.
Eric formed his own consulting practice in 2007, immediately providing communications consulting services for another major Texas university system, providing strategic advice to various political candidates, and writing copy for hundreds of mail, radio, and television ads in the years since. He also has consulted on numerous public relations efforts aimed at influencing state policy.
A father of two teen children, Eric frequently drives caravan to Boy Scout meetings, swim practice, dance and voice lessons. In his free time, he is an avid reader and runner.