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Who is Russell Vought?
Russell Vought is a political strategist and a former high-ranking government official who is known for his controversial tenure as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President Donald Trump.
He’s a conservative figure who’s heavily involved in right-wing policy movements. After his time in government, he became a key player in shaping the direction of the Republican Party, notably through Project 2025.
Vought’s career revolves around reducing government spending, pushing for a conservative agenda, and intertwining his Christian values with government policy. Now? We tell you all we found out about him.
Russell Vought Early Life
Russell was born on March 26, 1976, to his father, Thurlow Bunyea Vought, a US Marine veteran, and his mother, Margaret Flowers Vought, an elementary school teacher. His full name or birth name is Russell Thurlow Vought.
Growing up, he was exposed to a disciplined, service-oriented lifestyle, thanks to his father’s military background, and a strong educational foundation from his mother. Vought’s childhood seemed to blend service to the country with a focus on education, which likely shaped his drive and political outlook.
After high school, he went to Wheaton College, a Christian school known for producing many notable evangelical figures, and later earned his law degree from George Washington University.
Russell Vought Family Dynamics
Russell’s family dynamic was shaped by a combination of military discipline and a focus on education. His father’s military career likely instilled in him a sense of duty and a structured worldview, while his mother’s career as an educator likely influenced his approach to policy and governance.
Growing up in this environment, Vought developed his values of service, hard work, and the importance of education, all of which played into his career and political views.
Russell Vought Wife & Children
Russell Vought’s wife, Mary Vought, is more than just his spouse… she’s a political partner in her own right. Mary is the President and Founder of Vought Strategies, a Washington D.C.-based PR firm that specializes in navigating the complexities of American politics.
She’s also the Executive Director of the Senate, holding significant sway in political circles. Together, they have two children, though their family life remains relatively private.
Despite their prominence in political circles, the Voughts manage to maintain a low-key family life, prioritizing their careers and political missions.
Russell Vought Education
Russell’s educational background sets him apart from many other politicians. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College, which is a well-known evangelical Christian college in Illinois. His education there likely influenced his views on the role of religion in politics.
Later, he went on to earn a Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School. This combination of a faith-based education and a law degree provided him with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, government, and religion… values he still upholds in his political career today.
Russell Vought Political Career
Russell’s political career didn’t happen overnight. He started out working for Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the Heritage Foundation, where he honed his skills in lobbying and policy.
From there, he worked his way up through various political roles, including being the Executive Director and Budget Director for the Republican Study Committee, and even serving as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm.
By 2017, President Trump nominated him to serve as Deputy Director of the OMB, a role he officially took on in 2018. Vought’s career truly took off when he became the Acting Director of the OMB in 2019 and later the official Director in 2020.
Russell Vought Politics
Vought is a staunch conservative who pushes a vision of government that is small, lean, and heavily influenced by Christian values. Throughout his career, he has fought against what he views as an overly bureaucratic and “woke” federal government.
He believes in returning to “radical constitutionalism,” a viewpoint that advocates for strict adherence to the original intentions of the U.S. Constitution. His policies are often designed to curb government spending, shrink the size of the federal workforce, and promote conservative values.
Russell Vought Political Views & Religion
As a Christian nationalist, Vought believes that Christianity should have a prominent role in the American government, although he supports the separation of church and state in a legal sense. He doesn’t want religion to be banned from the government, but rather to have a strong influence on policy and governance.
Vought advocates for the reinstatement of certain powers to the president, like deploying military force domestically if needed, and believes that conservative, faith-based values should guide the country’s laws and policies.
His views on the federal bureaucracy are particularly harsh, as he’s been vocal about what he sees as a “woke” and “weaponized” government, pushing for a government overhaul that would see more power in the hands of the executive branch.
Russell Vought Project 2025
Project 2025 is a major policy initiative that Vought is heavily involved in. The project, led by the Heritage Foundation, is a conservative push to reshape the federal government if a Republican takes office in 2024. It includes proposals to turn tens of thousands of merit-based federal jobs into political appointments, allowing the president to place loyalists in key positions.
The plan also calls for reducing the influence of civil servants who oppose conservative policies. Vought believes that Project 2025 will help the Republican Party regain control and ensure that government policies align with conservative Christian values. It’s all about consolidating power and reshaping how the U.S. government operates, and Vought is playing a key role in making it happen.
Russell Vought Career Highlights
- Acting Director of OMB: Vought became Acting Director in 2019 and officially took the role in 2020. He led the OMB during a time of political turbulence, including the impeachment of Trump and controversies surrounding government spending and military aid.
- Center for Renewing America: Vought founded this organization in 2021 to promote conservative values and combat critical race theory, among other issues. The center is designed to provide support for Trump’s political movement after his presidency.
- Project 2025: Vought is a major player in Project 2025, which seeks to overhaul the federal government and expand presidential power under a future Republican president.
Russell Vought Body Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1723 cm)
- Weight: 65 kilograms (143 pounds)
- Eyes Color: Dark brown eyes color
- Hair Color: Black hair color
- Skin Color: Pale skin color
He’s of White (European) ethnic background, as his parents, Thurlow Bunyea Vought and Margaret Flowers Vought are Europeans. He’s a Christian and so are his parents and siblings. Meanwhile, he’s an American citizen by birth.
Russell Vought Net Worth & Salary
Vought has made a solid income throughout his political career, though his exact net worth remains somewhat unclear. As the Director of OMB, he earned a salary of over $200,000.
Since leaving the OMB, Vought has likely increased his earnings through his work with the Center for Renewing America, Project 2025, and his PR firm connections.
In 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $800k thousand.
How He Makes His Money
Russell Vought earns his money in a few different ways. During his time in government, he earned a salary as OMB Director.
Post-government, he’s continued to make money through his leadership at the Center for Renewing America, his role in Project 2025, and through consulting and speaking engagements.
His wife, Mary Vought, runs a successful PR firm, adding another source of income to the Vought family.
Why He Stands Out
Vought stands out in the world of politics because he’s not afraid to be outspoken about his conservative beliefs, especially when it comes to integrating Christian values into government policy.
He’s also been a key figure in pushing for an overhaul of the federal government, making his name synonymous with the conservative agenda. Whether it’s his stance on government spending or his work with Project 2025, Vought has proven that he’s not just another career politician… he’s a game-changer.
Fun Facts
- Despite his powerful political role, Russell keeps his personal life relatively low-key, especially when it comes to his family.
- His involvement in Project 2025 has made him a key figure in the future of the Republican Party.
- Vought’s passion for reducing government spending and increasing presidential power means he’s often the guy with the big ideas (and big controversies) in conservative circles.
