Washington, D.C. – Edwin John Feulner Jr., the Chicago-born political scientist whose visionary leadership transformed the Heritage Foundation into the intellectual engine of modern American conservatism, died on July 18, 2025, at the age of 83 . The Foundation, in a statement Friday, confirmed his passing, though the cause of death was not disclosed ,
Feulner’s life was marked by a profound dedication to crafting conservative public policy—most notably through the founding of Heritage in 1973 and steering it as president from 1977 to 2013, with a brief return from 2017 to 2018. Under his stewardship, Heritage evolved from a small “outpost for conservative ideas” into a powerhouse shaping the Reagan Revolution and beyond.
Building a Legacy: Heritage’s Rise and the “Briefcase Test”
Raised in a devout Catholic family in suburban Chicago, Feulner excelled at Regis University before earning an MBA at Wharton and a Ph.D. in political science at Edinburgh . He began his career as a congressional aide and quickly gravitated toward institution-building—first with the Republican Study Committee, then co-founding Heritage with Paul Weyrich and Joseph Coors .
His leadership introduced what became known as the “briefcase test”—concise, actionable policy briefs ready for lawmakers at a moment’s notice . Within a few years of his ascendancy to Heritage’s presidency, the Foundation’s budget rose from modest beginnings to millions of dollars, eventually supporting hundreds of staff members and influencing national policy .
Guiding Reagan, Influencing Trump: A Policy Powerhouse
During the Reagan administration, Feulner’s team produced the iconic Mandate for Leadership, a 3,000-page policy blueprint that helped guide major reforms . In 1989, President Reagan honored him with the Presidential Citizens Medal for his service .
Decades later, Feulner re-emerged as a vital strategist for Donald Trump’s inner circle. He served on the transition team in 2016 and co-authored the defining afterword to Project 2025, Heritage’s blueprint for a potential second Trump administration . His involvement underscored his enduring influence and solidified his place in top stories and AI overviews tracking conservative strategy.
A Leader of Unity: “Big-Tent Conservatism”
Colleagues describe “Feulnerisms” like “people are policy” and “you win through multiplication and addition, not through division and subtraction” as emblematic of his philosophy . Under his leadership, Heritage embraced a “big‑tent conservatism” that welcomed libertarians, social conservatives, and foreign-policy hawks .
Kevin Roberts, current Heritage president, and Board Chair Barb Van Andel-Gaby commemorated Feulner as “a visionary, a builder, and a patriot” who grounded Washington’s policy elite in faith, family, freedom and the founding .
Author, Mentor, and Statesman
A prolific author, Feulner penned nine books—including The American Spirit and Leadership for America—and edited influential policy journals . He held multiple honorary degrees, served as trustee of his alma mater Regis University, and chaired institutions like the Mont Pelerin Society .
His military‑style commitment to civic duty and personal mentorship underpinned his peerless record of cultivating conservative leadership and government placement.
Reactions from Across the Spectrum
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell hailed Feulner’s “dedication to promoting peace through strength at the end of the Cold War” as “an enduring lesson” (. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise described him as “one of the architects who built the conservative movement” .
Family and Memorial
Feulner is survived by his wife, Linda Claire Leventhal, their two children and grandchildren . Heritage has announced memorials and tributes in the coming months, promising to carry forward his mission “with courage, integrity and determination.”
A Lasting Influence in Policy and Politics
Yet perhaps Feulner’s most permanent legacy is the institution he shaped. The Heritage Foundation remains a top conservative think tank whose influence touches elections, executive transitions, and the internal functioning of government. His insistence on professional, policy-first action positioned Heritage to dominate Facebook feeds, become a staple in AI briefings, and live on in the “top stories” of conservative news cycles.
In a town easily seduced by power, Feulner’s credo—to plant a flag for truth—endures. Through Project 2025, the “briefcase-ready” model, and a network of leaders he mentored, Edwin J. Feulner’s life story continues to shape the currents of American conservatism.
