David Herle
David Herle is a Canadian political consultant and Principal Partner at leading polling and research firm, The Gandalf Group. He is also a regular CBC commentator and Policy Options contributor.
Although the Gandalf Group has many blue-chip clients, it is best known publicly for the two large quarterly reports featured in the Globe and Mail – the C-Suite Report on Canadian Executives and the Consumerology Report on Canadians’ economic expectations and purchasing behaviour with Bensimon Byrne.
Prior to The Gandalf Group, Herle was a senior partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, Veraxis Research. He was also a top advisor to former Prime Minister Paul Martin and the Liberal campaign co-chair for 2004 and 2006.
Herle has been active in the Liberal Party since his youth, and was a key strategist for the Martin leadership campaign. During the 2004 election, as prospects for the Liberals began looking poorly, Herle was a strong advocate of attacking Martin's primary opponent, Stephen Harper, which turned the tide of what had been a Conservative lead. In the 2006 election, a similar strategy did not have the same success.
Herle was managing co-chair for Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne's successful reelection campaign in 2014.
Prior to supporting Paul Martin, Herle worked on John Turner's leadership bid.
David Herle received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina and was called to the Bar in Ontario after receiving his LLB from the University of Saskatchewan.
On June 6, 2016; the Ontario Liberal Government was accused of favouritism in awarding the Gandalf Group approximately $900,000 CAD in contracts; with the allegations due to Herle being the managing co-chair of the election campaign. At this time Herle has not responded to inquiry regarding this allegation. [1]