News: Ballard hires former Jill Biden spokesperson

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Ballard hires former Jill Biden spokesperson

Sep 05, 2023

With Daniel Lippman

FIRST IN PI — LAROSA JUMPS TO BALLARD: Ballard Partners has poached Michael LaRosa from Penta Group — becoming the first Biden administration official to join the mostly Republican firm that made its name in Washington thanks to its founder’s ties to former President Donald Trump.

— LaRosa left the White House, where he was first lady Jill Biden’s top spokesperson and also served as special assistant to President Joe Biden, last summer to join what was then Hamilton Place Strategies. (The consulting firm since merged with about half a dozen others to become Penta, where LaRosa was managing director for strategy.)

— At Ballard, LaRosa will be a partner and told PI in an interview that he plans on registering to lobby and won’t rule out any possible FARA work so long as it complies with the Biden administration’s ethics restrictions on lobbying certain officials or working on behalf of a foreign government or political party. He’ll also work with Ballard’s strategic comms and media group.

— LaRosa also told PI he isn’t bothered by Ballard’s proximity with the top two candidates in the GOP presidential primary — Trump’s businesses were longtime Ballard clients, and founder Brian Ballard has been a top fundraiser for both Trump and his chief primary rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

— The firm also employs former top staffers to DeSantis, several of whom held a K Street fundraiser for the governor earlier this year. “I came from a bipartisan firm,” LaRosa said, noting that Hamilton Place was founded by Bush-era Republicans and calling Ballard “one of the gold standards of lobbying shops in D.C.”

Happy Tuesday and welcome back to PI. We hope you had a relaxing recess. Send tips: coprysko@politico.com. And be sure to follow me on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: @caitlinoprysko.

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PBM REFORM PUSH REACHES A CRITICAL JUNCTURE: “Drugmakers, pharmacists and others pushing for reforms of pharmaceutical middlemen are ramping up their advocacy as they get closer to scoring a legislative victory in Congress,” our Megan Wilson reports, but time is winding down as lawmakers begin heading back to town with a packed slate of must-pass priorities like funding the government.

— “Pharmacy benefit managers, who have steadily increased their advocacy to fend off attacks in Washington, are up against pharmacies, some employer groups, provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies and seniors group AARP. It’s been an unprecedented year for policies revolving around PBMs, with six committees in the House and Senate advancing more than a half dozen mostly bipartisan bills.”

— “The National Community Pharmacists Association has spent the August recess hosting lawmakers at independent pharmacies in their home districts across 21 states to talk about the issues,” including top members of key committees ahead of a potential House vote this month.

— The main drug lobby PhRMA is set to unleash “the latest in its series of ads that urge people to support PBM reforms in Congress, part of a yearslong effort by the group,” while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, recently enlisted the help of former Rep. Ryan Costello to beat back the attacks.

NEW BUSINESS: Visa has retained Forbes Tate Partners to lobby on swipe fees legislation as credit card companies and their allied trade groups prepare to escalate their counteroffensive against lawmakers’ campaign to rein in the fees card networks charge merchants.

— Jeff Forbes, a former Senate Finance staff director; Jeff Strunk, a former John Boehner aide; Jay Driscoll, a former aide to ex-Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus; Ryan McConaghy, a former Chuck Schumer aide; and former Mortgage Bankers Association lobbyist Kelley Williams will work on the account, per a disclosure filing.

— Deloitte has also added new lobbying help, retaining former Rep. Kevin Yoder and David Natonski of HHQ Ventures to lobby on appropriations issues related to the accounting and tax industries, as well as tax policy and the federal government market. The firm has four other K Street shops on retainer, including Blue Ridge Law & Policy, Tiber Creek Group and Resolution Public Affairs.

— The consumer electronics and software maker Logitech, meanwhile, has hired its first lobbyists in more than a decade. Logitech retained Kevin Walsh and Logan Hollers of Invariant in July to work on tech industry and data privacy issues and tout Logitech’s environmental policies. The Switzerland-based company last retained federal lobbyists for less than three months at the end of 2009 and reported less than $5,000 in spending.

IF YOU MISSED IT FRIDAY: “Weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation targeting dozens of prominent Russian officials and others for potential sanctions. The Biden administration moved to issue penalties against a number of them.”

— POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs has new behind-the-scenes reporting on “two wealthy Russian businessmen who were on the original target list” — Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman — and who managed to evade penalties until just last month.

— “The pair shared something in common: Their investment group employed a well-connected D.C. lobbying shop, BGR, which held backchannel conversations with congressional staff about the sanctions green lit through legislation dubbed the Putin Accountability Act.”

— “Among the oligarchs’ advocates was Daniel Hoffman, a Fox News contributor and former CIA Moscow chief. Hoffman had been publicly critical of Vladimir Putin. But in this instance, Hoffman, a member of BGR’s advisory board, went to bat for a Russian businessman whom the EU designated ‘one of Vladimir Putin’s closest oligarchs.’”

— “In an interview, Jeff Birnbaum, a spokesperson for BGR, said the firm terminated its work” for the formerly Aven-led Alfa Bank in 2020, and that “BGR had been tasked with monitoring and reporting on sanctions bills like the Putin Accountability Act for LetterOne,” an investment firm Aven co-founded but has since separated from.

Jobs Report

— Christian Marrone is now head of global intelligence and security at Standard Industries. He most recently was a senior adviser at WestExec Advisors and is a Lockheed Martin, DHS and DOD alum.

— Eric Ettorre has joined the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee as trade counsel for Republicans. He most recently served as a policy adviser at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

— Fox has added Joanna Orlando and Alex Clark Dillie as directors of government relations. Orlando most recently was senior manager of Boeing’s PAC. Dillie most recently was deputy finance director and West Coast regional finance director for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

— David Heitlinger is joining Atlantic Strategies Group. He was most recently legislative director and campaign manager for Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.).

— Second Front Systems named Lathan Turner as executive vice president of global public sector, per Morning Defense. He was a federal engagement and strategic sales execution executive at Amazon Web Services.

— Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Nicholas Kent to serve as the state’s deputy secretary of education, helping oversee Youngkin’s postsecondary education strategy, Morning Education reports. Kent was most recently chief policy officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities.

— Robert Gardner has joined Boundary Stone Partners as vice president in its solar practice. He most recently served as a policy adviser at Baker Donelson and is an alum of Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office.

— Lacy Nelson is now press secretary for Sen. Angus King (I-Maine). She most recently was comms director for Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service.

— Zachary Huebschman is now a legislative analyst at OMB. He previously was an associate at Star Cypress Partners.

— The National Job Corps Association has named Donna Hay as its president and CEO. She most recently served as vice president of market impact at Veris Insights.

— Bryan Petit has joined the National Alliance of Forest Owners as vice president for policy and regulatory affairs. He spent the past 11 years as a senior professional staff member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee overseeing the forestry and wildland fire portfolios.

— Waxman Strategies has added Jen Schultz as a senior director and Vaishu Jawahar and Jackson Thein as directors. Schultz previously served in the Minnesota state legislature and as a health finance professor at the University of Minnesota; Jawahar most recently served as domestic policy coordinator in Vice President Kamala Harris’ office; and Thein most recently served as a policy adviser to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

— Louise Stewart will be vice president of global communications and public engagement at the Oversight Board, which reviews Meta content issues. She previously was a partner at Penta.

— Karmen Rajamani will be vice president of government affairs at the Wireless Infrastructure Association. She previously was vice president of government affairs at Crown Castle.

— Courtney Houston-Carter has joined JPMorgan Chase as executive director of federal government relations. He was previously vice president of federal government relations at U.S. Bank.

— Jon Fisher-Espinoza has joined FICO as director of federal government relations. He was previously assistant vice president of federal government relations at U.S. Bank.

— Heath Brandt has joined Torrey Advisory Group as a policy coordinator. He previously interned at the firm and most recently interned for the Senate Ag Committee.

— Nick Rudowich is now director of state affairs for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. He was previously senior manager of government affairs at the RV Industry Association.

— Firehouse Strategies has hired Georgeanna Sullivan Thomas and Halee Dobbins as vice presidents, and Luca Frumento and Gabby Karber as associates. Sullivan Thomas was most recently communications director for Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) and Dobbins was most recently press secretary for the Senate Homeland Security Committee. The firm also promoted Katey McCutcheon to senior vice president; Matthew Schantin and Jim Mantyh to assistant vice president; William Hadden to project director and William Fink to operations director.

— Seven Letter has added Robin Calleja and Kelcey McClung as managers in the D.C. office. Calleja recently received her master’s from Georgetown University and previously supported Filipino Americans for Biden-Harris during the 2020 election cycle as a digital communication specialist, and McClung was most recently a program associate at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

New Joint Fundraisers

Biden Baldwin Victory Fund (President Joe Biden, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Federal)
Cooper Victory Committee (Kelly Cooper for Congress, Re-Coop Arizona PAC, NRCC)
DAVE PAC-BAKER PAC Victory Fund (Defending American Values Everywhere PAC (DAVE PAC), BAKER PAC)
Jones Victory Fund (Mondaire for Congress, New York State Democratic Committee)
Ohio Pennsylvania Victory 2024 (Sens. Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Ohio Democratic Party - Federal)
Peaches and Peaks Victory Fund (Sens. John Hickenlooper, Jon Ossoff, Giddy Up PAC, Health Jobs Justice)
Ricketts Sheehy Victory Committee (Sen. Pete Ricketts, Tim Sheehy for Montana, NRSC)
Rob Mercuri Joint Fundraising Committee (Mercuri for Congress, Always Out Front PAC)
Sykes Victory Fund (Rep. Emilia Sykes, Ohio Democratic Party - Federal)

New PACs

ACCOUNTABILITY ACTION (Super PAC)
Adult ADHD World - The Neurodivergent Advantage Foundation by Prudential Trust (Hybrid PAC)
Advance PAC (Hybrid PAC)
Always Out Front PAC (Leadership PAC: Rob Mercuri)
Building A Strong Rhode Island (Super PAC)
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Political Action Committee (CUC PAC) (PAC)
Citizens Alliance of North Dakota (Super PAC)
Conservatives for Virtue (Super PAC)
Courier Plus, Inc. d/b/a Dutchie Political Action Committee (PAC)
Defeat The Machine Super Pac (Super PAC)
Eagleville Joint Ambulance District Levy Committee (PAC)
FAMILY, FAITH, AND JUSTICE (Super PAC)
Independent Pilots Association PAC (IPAC) (PAC)
KEYSTONE RENEWAL PAC (Super PAC)
Movement Labs PAC (PAC)
PATRIOT PAC (Super PAC)
Pete for Pinal (Super PAC)
Progressive Alliance for PR (Super PAC)
Saint Augustine PAC (Super PAC)
Voice for Values (PAC)
Vote FOR Greenwood (PAC)

New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS

Accses New Jersey: Accses New Jersey
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Atlantic Aviation Holdings Corporation
Alpine Group Partners, LLC.: Radiant Industries, Inc.
Alpine Group Partners, LLC.: Topsoe, Inc.
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Arizona Chamber Of Commerce And Industry
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Arizona State University
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Axiom Care
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: C4 Recovery Foundation
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Chicanos Por La Causa
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Hercutech Inc.
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: Kozolchyk National Law Center
Az Dc Consulting, LLC: The Phoenix Theatre Company
Bolton-St. Johns, LLC: Women In Need, Inc.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Compass Connections
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Compass United
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Pc: Design Group Americas
Cdpq U.S. Inc.: Cdpq U.S. Inc.
Cr Federal: Broadway Ventures, LLC
Democracy Sentry: Democracy Sentry
D-Fend Solutions, Inc.: D-Fend Solutions, Inc.
Dla Piper LLP (US): Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC
Forbes-Tate: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
Freemyer & Associates P.C.: Point Of Rocks Ranch, LLC
Genesis Partners Palm Beach LLC: City Of Atlantis
Government Relations Group, LLC: Prevent-Plus LLC
Grayrobinson Pa: National Community Renaissance Of California
Greg Wilson Pr: Polypore International, Lp
Hogan Lovells US LLP: Rivada Networks
Howard Law & Policy Group Pllc: Lloyd'S Of London
Invariant LLC: Logitech
Kyle House Group: Vf Corporation
Liberty Partners Group, LLC: Brown, Goldstein & Levy
Lne Group: Spellbinders Paper Arts LLC
Lone Star Consulting (Fka Ls Consulting, LLC): City Of Pharr, Texas
Lone Star Consulting (Fka Ls Consulting, LLC): Upper Jasper County Water Authority
Lsn Partners, LLC: Papa Inc.
Mcdermott+Consulting LLC: Verily Life Sciences LLC
Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Public Media Venture Group
Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: County Of Winnebago
Mr. Mark Kopec: Greenpower Bx LLC
Paradigm Operations Lp: Paradigm Operations Lp
Penn Hill Group: National Coalition For Promise Neighborhoods (Informal Coalition)
Plurus Strategies, LLC: American Society For Reproductive Medicine
Policy Development Group: Community Medical Services
Rk Strategies, Inc.: Nexalin Technology Inc.
Roberti Global (F/K/A Roberti White, LLC): Blue Genes, LLC
Rosner Consulting, LLC: Fiberesin, Abet USa On Behalf Of Passage Group
Subject Matter: Preserve Viewer Choice Coalition
The Prenda Group LLC: Eric Serna, Law Firm
The Prenda Group LLC: Tactile Engineering Inc.
The Raben Group: U.S. Impact Investing Alliance, A Project Of New Venture Fund
The Williams Group: Mastercard
Tiber Creek Group: Monkton, Inc.
Tiber Creek Group: Quidnet Energy, Inc.
Versant Strategies LLC (Formerly Known As Wolff Strategies, LLC.): Pennsylvania Pork Producers' Sip
Woodberry Associates: Jabil, Inc.

New Lobbying Terminations

Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, LLP: Florida Citrus Mutual
Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, LLP: Meat Importers Council Of America Inc
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Sierra Space
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP: Technology Service Corporation
Co2Efficient LLC: Project Canary Inc, Pbc
Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Dapper Labs Inc.
Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Lcmc Health
Gephardt Group Government Affairs: General Electric Company (Previously Reported As Ge Aviation)
Hart Health Strategies: Alliance For Cell Therapy Now
Key Advocates, Inc.: Appraiser Prosperity Coalition
Key Advocates, Inc.: Leo Hindrey, Jr.
Key Advocates, Inc.: U.S. Continental Orchid Growers Association
Key Advocates, Inc.: Wavefront Technology Solutions USa Inc.
Madison Government Affairs: City Of Satellite Beach
Mindset Advocacy, LLC: Courier Plus, Inc. Dba Dutchie
Mlj Strategies: Ankura Consulting Group, LLC On Behalf Of Thorne Research
Mr. Steven Holtzman: Branch Metrics
Mr. Tim Chrisman: Distinctive Edge Partners
Ogilvy Government Relations: Black Women's Health Imperative
Polsinelli Pc: Gamma Healthcare, Inc.
Republic Consulting, LLC: Cognizant Technology Solutions
Republic Consulting, LLC: Mortgage Bankers Association
Republic Consulting, LLC: Nine Line Apparel
Republic Consulting, LLC: Workiva
Robertson, Monagle, And Eastaugh: City Of Craig
Scipher Medicine: Scipher Medicine
Shift5: Shift5
Silver Legal Services LLC: Alaska Power And Telephone
Silver Legal Services LLC: City Of Ketchikan
South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation: South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation
The Prenda Group LLC: Arkansas Lithium Corporation
The Prenda Group LLC: Crowley Maritime Corporation
Tiber Creek Group: Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
Velocity Government Relations, LLC: Astranis Space Technologies Corp.
Velocity Government Relations, LLC: North Valley Military Institute, Nvmi
Veterans And Military Families For Progress: Veterans And Military Families For Progress
Wbd Strategies LLC: American Association Of Nurse Anesthetists
William Watson Group LLC: O'Keefe's, Inc.
Winning Strategies Washington: Patients Rising Now

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