Tara Setmayer

CNN Political Commentator
Named one of "Top 20 Election Coverage Stars" by Vulture.com in 2016
Advocate for Protecting democratic Norms, Institutions and Ideals

Tara Setmayer is considered one of television’s most outspoken and “must watch” political commentators. A voice of reason for conservatism, she captivates audiences with her “tell it like it is” style and refreshingly candid critiques of the political landscape and current events.

Tara’s common-sense perspective and deep level of expertise on a range of politically relevant topics, cuts through the bluster and rhetoric to help audiences more clearly understand what is at stake on some of today’s most important and debated policy and political issues.

As a political contributor, Tara appears regularly on CNN’s dayside and prime time programs, provides analysis for Good Morning America, Nightline and has guest hosted The View for ABC. Prior to joining CNN and ABC, she was already a high-profile media commentator, appearing on various national programs including Real Time w/Bill Maher. Tara has also written for Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast and CNN.com.

As a former long time GOP communication director on Capitol Hill, Tara understands the dynamics inside “The Beltway” and pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of Legislative and Executive Branches of our government and the impact on everyday Americans.

Tara serves as a Board Director for Stand Up Republic, a non-profit organization formed in the wake of the 2016 election of Donald Trump to unite Americans behind the defense of democratic norms, ideals and institutions. She is also a distinguished member of the American Enterprise Institutes Leadership Network.

Tara is an outspoken advocate for law enforcement, immigration reform, and school choice.

Videos: Watch Tara Setmayer Speak >>

Tara Setmayer Presidential Address To Congress And More | The View [9:28] - Get Sharable Link

Tara Setmayer Presidential Address To Congress And More | The View [9:28]

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Nukes, Gun Control, Obama Speeches | Overtime with Bill Maher (HBO) [7:24]

On Trump Threatening Heidi Cruz | AC360 [3:26]

On Delayed Veteran Funds | CNN AC360 [2:30]

Direction of GOP Post-Election | CNN [6:20]

Biography

Tara Setmayer is a CNN Political Commentator, ABC News Political Contributor and former GOP communications director on Capitol Hill. She regularly appears on CNN's prime time programs and contributes to ABC's The View, Good Morning America and HBO's Real Time w/Bill Maher. Prior to joining ABC, Tara became a household name for her no nonsense commentary as a CNN political commentator during the 2016 presidential election cycle where Vulture.com recognized her as one of 2016's "Top 20 Election Coverage Stars" on TV. In 2017, Tara was named as a Board Director for Stand Up Republic, a non profit organization formed in the wake of the 2016 election of Donald Trump to unite Americans behind the defense of democratic norms, ideals and institutions.

Tara's also written for Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast and CNN.com and has guest-hosted on SiriusXM's Patriot and POTUS channels.

Tara focuses her "tell it like it is" commentary and analysis on political issues that impact America's future. Having worked as the Communications Director for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) for seven years, she successfully led the national effort to free unjustly imprisoned Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean through a presidential commutation issued by President George W. Bush on his last working day in office. In addition to her communications duties for Rep. Rohrabacher, Setmayer handled policy issues on immigration and federal law enforcement.

Prior to becoming an CNN political contributor, Setmayer was already a seasoned media commentator appearing on various national television programs on Fox News Channel, ABC, HBO, PBS and C-SPAN.

For over 10 years, Setmayer was a regular panelist on the women's issues program "To The Contrary" on PBS. She has been featured in several local and national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Hill Newspaper, Politico and Ebony magazine and has appeared on numerous radio programs across the country including ABC Radio Networks, NPR and SiriusXM Radio. In 2010, Setmayer was selected for The Hill newspaper's "50 Most Beautiful" annual list in Washington, DC.

For over two years, Setmayer served as a community liaison advocating on a variety of issues including affordable housing and services for the chronically homeless and children in South Florida where she co-founded a faith-based homeless program with her mother. Setmayer also served as a former research fellow and communications specialist for the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education (CURE), a non-profit organization that provides national dialogue on how social policies impact America's inner cities and the poor.