Richard Bitner Wirthlin (1931–2011) was an American pollster and political strategist, best known for his long-standing role as chief strategist, pollster, and advisor to President Ronald Reagan. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in a family with ties to government service and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, a master's from Stanford University, and a PhD in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley in 1966. Early in his career, he founded the Wirthlin Group, a polling firm that specialized in market research and political consulting, which laid the foundation for his influence in Republican politics. He also served as a mentor to notable pollsters like Frank Luntz, shaping the next generation of political analysts.

Wirthlin's most significant contributions came through his two-decade partnership with Ronald Reagan, beginning in 1968 during Reagan's gubernatorial campaign in California. As Reagan's chief strategist, he played a pivotal role in crafting the 'Great Communicator's' messaging, using polling data to refine campaign strategies and policy positions. During Reagan's 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns, and throughout his White House tenure from 1981 to 1989, Wirthlin was a senior advisor and member of the inner circle, helping to navigate key issues like the economy, Cold War diplomacy, and domestic reforms. His data-driven approach was instrumental in Reagan's electoral successes and in communicating conservative ideologies effectively to the American public.

Beyond politics, Wirthlin was deeply involved in his faith, serving as a general authority in the LDS Church as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 1996 to 2001. After leaving the White House, he continued his polling work through the Wirthlin Worldwide consulting firm until his retirement. He passed away on March 16, 2011, in Arlington, Virginia, leaving a legacy as a key architect of modern political polling and Republican strategy.