Kenneth Khachikian, also known as the “Lion of the California Republican Party,” is a political strategist who has served nine presidential campaigns as a chief consultant. He worked in President Ronald Reagan’s office and was a speechwriter for him.

He was born in Visalia, California, to parents who survived the Armenian genocide and immigrated to the United States.

As President Ronald Reagan’s speechwriter, Khachikian wrote his first inaugural address and the speech welcoming the freed hostages of the Iran crisis. His character was also included in the 2008 film “Frost/Nixon.”