Over its 30 years in business, Arena has grown to become America’s #1 Direct Voter Contact firm. The company celebrated the achievement by launching a 30-week social media campaign to share 30 events that helped the company become what it is today.
Each week, starting on February 5, 2026, we’ll be posting the ads on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X, then adding them here in this post.
So take a stroll through Arena’s history, and come back to revisit when you get a chance. You’ll see for yourself some of the amazing victories Arena has been a part of.
Week 1 – Upstart Outfoxes Democrats to Help Flip Two House Seats
During our inaugural year of 1996, Arena helped Chris Cannon pull off one of the cycle’s few meaningful Republican challenger upsets, defeating Democratic incumbent Bill Orton in a year when GOP pickups were far less common than they had been in the 1994 “Republican Revolution.”
At the same time, in the Midwest, Kenny Hulshof’s breakthrough win in Missouri added a second major upset. These early victories helped establish Arena’s reputation for delivering in tough federal races and proved that our approach could compete at the highest level.
Week 2 – Tommy Thompson’s Trust in Arena is Rewarded with a Big Win
Tommy Thompson’s 1998 reelection was Arena’s first major gubernatorial victory and a defining early milestone for the firm.
Thompson was already one of the most influential conservative governors in America, known nationally for bold welfare reform and forward-thinking policy.
The fact that a governor of his stature entrusted work to such a young firm opened doors across the Midwest and set Arena on a path to becoming the preeminent mail firm in Wisconsin for the next three decades.
Week 3–Trailblazers Team Up to Launch an Amazing Career
With Arena on her team, Heather Wilson’s 1998 special election win launched one of the most distinguished careers in modern public service.
An Air Force Academy graduate and Air Force officer, Wilson brought military discipline and resolve into a fast-moving special election, won, then immediately defended the seat in the general. She went on to hold one of the most competitive House districts for a decade and later served as Secretary of the Air Force.
Supporting her first race was a privilege and a glimpse of the remarkable leader she would become.
Week 4–Facilitating a Big Sky Breakthrough
Judy Martz’s 2000 victory made her the first woman ever elected governor of Montana—a groundbreaking moment in the state’s history. A former Olympic speed skater, rancher, and small-business owner, Martz connected deeply with voters through authenticity and grit. The campaign required coordinated communication across rural, suburban, and small-town Montana. For Arena, helping elect the state’s first female governor was an early statewide milestone and the start of a long, successful chapter in the Mountain West.
Helping Secure a Landmark for Next Gen NFL Fans
Arena played a key role in the public campaign to secure voter approval for the Lambeau Field expansion—one of the most significant stadium upgrades in NFL history. Engaging residents for a franchise initiative required the same strategies and targeting used in political campaigns, and Arena delivered. The successful vote strengthened the Packers’ long-term future and set the stage for decades of competitiveness and community pride.
Week 6—Big Red Win in a Deep Blue State
In 2002, Jim Douglas won the governorship in deep-blue Vermont, demonstrating how the right messenger and a steady, local focus can carry Republicans to victory even in traditionally challenging territory. Arena helped craft and deliver a message that resonated across party lines, enabling Douglas to overcome Vermont’s strong Democratic lean. This wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Arena later helped Douglas get reelected, eventually serving four terms as governor and proving that smart strategy and the right candidate can create opportunity in even the toughest political environments.
Week 7—Three Wins in Four Years for Walker
Scott Walker didn’t just win in Wisconsin—he won three statewide races in four years, including a nationally defining recall that put the state at the center of American politics. Arena began working with Walker in 2002, helping shape the message and voter contact strategy that powered his breakthrough wins. His victories propelled him onto the national stage and into a presidential campaign. This long partnership remains one of Arena’s defining examples of commitment, trust, and strategic execution.
