You might know Erie native John Brabender as the spokesman for Presque Isle Downs & Casino. That’s certainly the case.

But you might not know that most of Brabender’s time is spent on politics.

Brabender, the chief creative officer for Pittsburgh-based media firm BrabenderCox, is spending a lot of time these days in New York City, where Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani’s campaign is headquartered.

Giuliani has hired Brabender’s firm to be part of a team of media consultants with a record of electing Republicans. The team is putting together the advertising for Giuliani’s presidential campaign, Brabender said.

BrabenderCox’ first political race was Tom Ridge’s successful 1982 run for Congress. Since then, the firm has worked for more than 300 candidates in about 46 states, along with candidates in a few other countries, Brabender said.

“It’s a significant part of our business, and it’s where I personally spend the majority of my time,’’ he said.

Brabender’s firm works almost exclusively on GOP candidates’ campaigns.

Rick Santorum hired Brabender’s firm to work on Santorum’s two successful races for U.S. House, his election and re-election to the U.S. Senate and his unsuccessful re-election bid in 2006.

“It was just an absolutely horrendous year for Republicans (nationwide),’’ Brabender said.

— John Guerriero