About the Election Transparency Initiative

Who We Are

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Ken Cuccinelli

National Chairman

Ken Cuccinelli served in the federal government, first as the acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and then as the acting deputy secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. During his tenure, Cuccinelli was a leading spokesman for the administration on immigration, election security and homeland security issues, and was appointed by the president to serve as an original member of the Coronavirus Task Force upon the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to practicing law for over 25 years, Cuccinelli served in state government in the Virginia Senate from 2002-2010 and as Virginia’s attorney general from 2010-2014. Cuccinelli earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Virginia, a law degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, and a master’s in international transactions from George Mason University.

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Melody Himel Clarke

Executive Director

Melody Clarke serves as Executive Director of the Election Transparency Initiative. Prior to joining ETI, she served as Executive Director of Follow the Law, Deputy Director of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, National Deputy Director of the Election Integrity Network, and Director of Government affairs for Virginia Institute Action. Clarke also spent a decade with Heritage Action for America, the grassroots advocacy partner of the Heritage Foundation, advancing public policy initiatives and grassroots engagement across multiple states. In addition to her public policy work, Clarke is a lifelong entrepreneur and small-business owner with more than 40 years of leadership and management experience in the real estate, hospitality, and consulting industries. She is also host of the radio program Politics on the Edge, where she interviews national policymakers, authors, scholars, and public leaders. Outside of her professional work, Clarke has a lifelong passion for equestrian and canine sports and is actively involved in training and competing with Wirehaired Vizslas in hunting, field, and performance events.

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Andresen ``Andy`` Blom

Senior Communications Advisor

Andy Blom is an experienced political strategist, communications professional, and public policy advocate. He has served as executive director of state and national policy organizations and has directed political campaigns and independent expenditure efforts for candidates seeking election to the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and local offices. His writing on public policy and politics has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and the Honolulu Advertiser, among other publications.

In the private sector, Blom has served as a vice president of a major Mid-Atlantic bank, held senior leadership positions with advertising agencies, and owned a marketing communications firm. At the Election Transparency Initiative, he supports communications strategy, media monitoring, policy research, and opinion-editorial development.