If you’ve ever watched CNN and seen a conservative voice holding his own against a sea of liberal panelists, chances are you’ve spotted Scott Jennings. The Kentucky-born political strategist has become a fixture on the network, known for his sharp takes and occasional tuxedo appearances.
But beyond the cable news drama, there’s a lot more to Jennings—his low-key spouse, a dramatic weight loss journey, a growing net worth, and a freshly renegotiated CNN contract. Let’s break it all down.
Who Is Scott Jennings’ Wife? Meet Autumn Stiff Jennings
Scott married Autumn Stiff Jennings in 2010, and the couple has built a quiet but busy life together in Prospect, Kentucky. Autumn isn’t just a political spouse; she’s got her own impressive career. With a degree in accounting and finance from the University of Louisville, she’s spent years crunching numbers.
For 16 years, she worked as a payroll specialist for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a major nonprofit focused on cancer research. These days, she’s the payroll manager at CrossCountry Consulting, a financial advisory firm.
But her real full-time job? Raising four kids with Scott, all of whom are sons: Everett, Winston, Thatcher, and Harlan. Yes, the Jennings family has a thing for strong, old-school names. The couple also has a quirky hobby: raising chickens on their property. Scott has joked about their farm-fresh eggs, which they share with friends. Autumn keeps a low profile—her last Facebook post was over three years ago—but she occasionally pops up in Scott’s social media, like when he tweeted in December 2023 about her referencing Christmas Vacation.
One quick note: Don’t mix her up with another Autumn Jennings from Nevada. Scott’s wife is strictly a Kentucky girl.
Scott Jennings’ 60-Pound Weight Loss: How Intermittent Fasting Changed His Life
In January 2025, Jennings hit a breaking point. After a dinner where he demolished shrimp and grits followed by a massive slab of carrot cake, he stepped on the scale: 233 pounds. His suit buttons were staging a rebellion. Feeling physically and emotionally drained, he decided enough was enough.
By March 2025, Jennings had shed 60 pounds, dropping to 175 pounds. How? No Ozempic, no crash diets—just intermittent fasting and old-school discipline. Here’s how he did it:
- The Fasting Plan: He started with a 16:8 method (eating only between 1 PM and 5 PM), then tightened it to one meal a day (OMAD). His eating window shrank to just one hour.
- Ditching Sugar: Scott Jennings admitted he was addicted to sugar. Carrot cake was his kryptonite. He quit cold turkey, including artificial sweeteners, which he said made cravings worse.
- Daily Walks: He added 45-minute walks, inspired by the “Schultz Hour” concept (a daily reflective walk, named after George Shultz). No hardcore gym sessions—just consistency.
- The Results: His body fat plummeted from 26.5% to 16.2%. He also reported better mental clarity, clearer skin, and more energy.
Jennings wrote about his transformation in a June 2021 article, calling it a “personal miracle.” By 2025, he’d maintained the loss, proving it wasn’t just a fad.
Scott Jennings’ Net Worth: How Much Is He Really Worth?
Jennings isn’t flashing his bank statements online, but piecing together his career gives us a solid estimate. Here’s where his money comes from:
- RunSwitch PR: The Louisville-based strategic communications firm he co-founded. PR firms like this bill clients anywhere from five to six figures per project.
- CNN Salary: As a contributor since 2017, Jennings likely earned around $500,000 annually before his 2025 pay raise (more on that next).
- Writing Gigs: He’s a columnist for USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, plus a former adjunct lecturer at Harvard.
- Political Work: Former Special Assistant to George W. Bush and GOP campaign strategist—high-paying roles.
So, what’s the total? Some sites lowball it at $1–$5 million, while others (like LawyersClubIndia) peg it at $7 million in late 2024. One outlier (PeopleAI) claimed a wild $246 million, but that’s almost certainly nonsense. The realistic range? $5–$10 million, thanks to his diverse income streams.
CNN Salary: Why Scott Jennings Just Got a Pay Bump
In March 2025, CNN was finalizing a lucrative new contract for Jennings, complete with a “substantial pay raise.” Why? Because he’s become the network’s go-to conservative voice, especially for Trump-era debates.
- Previous Salary: Around $500,000/year as a contributor (not a full-time anchor).
- New Deal: While exact numbers weren’t leaked, insiders called it “favorable.” He reportedly asked for his own show but settled for the raise.
- Leverage: Other networks were interested, giving Jennings bargaining power even as CNN cut 200 staffers earlier that year.
For context, CNN stars like Anderson Cooper rake in $20 million/year, but contributors like Jennings operate in the mid-six-figure range. Still, not bad for a guy who spends his off-air time raising chickens.
