K Street Lines Up for Romney

The firms and lobbyists that will gain the most from a Romney victory

Throughout the GOP nominating process, each candidate accused the other of being a Washington insider.  As each candidate distanced themselves from Washington, their opponents worked to highlight their ties. But one thing is clear – every candidate received some support from K Street.

With their dollars, advice, and endorsements, K Street definitively lined up in support of one candidate – Mitt Romney.  Romney has never been a registered lobbyist, but he seeks advice and contributions from more lobbyists than any of the other candidates, and has a long list of lobbyist supporters, advisors, and contributors.  This select group of Washington insiders is quietly positioning themselves to benefit from a Romney presidency.

Report Sections (download full report)

• Client and Firm Scorecard
• Lobbyist Campaign Officials
• Lobbyist Bundlers
• Lobbyist Contributors
• Report Infographic
• Update: More Lobbyists Line Up for Romney
• Update: Three Former Lobbyists Join Romney Education Policy Team
• Update: GOP Congressional VP Candidates Have Extensive Ties to K Street

Report Highlights

  Mitt  Romney

• Ten current and former lobbyists are directly affiliated with the Mitt Romney campaign as advisors and staffers.  These lobbyists have represented 256 clients who paid their firms over $88.0 million since 2004. (Lobbyist Campaign Officials)
• 16 registered lobbyists are acting as bundlers to Romney’s campaign.  These lobbyists have represented 324 organizations and a combined $196.9 million in lobbying expenses since 2008. (Lobbyist Bundlers)
• In 2011 bundler’s and advisors to the Romney campaign represented 174 organizations and $54.7 million in lobbying expenses.
• 332 lobbyists have donated to a current GOP candidate in 2011.  Romney dominates the field, receiving 304 contributions. (Lobbyist Contributors)
• Two lobbying firms are positioned to gain from a Romney presidency: (Scorecard)
  • Dutko employs lobbyists that are Romney advisors, bundlers, and contributors
  • DLA Piper has multiple lobbyists that have contributed heavily to the Romney campaign.
• Several corporations will be well-connected with a Romney victory: (Scorecard)
  • Microsoft leads the pack, having Romney campaign advisors, bundlers, and contributors who represented the company.
  • Two of the top finance companies, Charles Schwab and CitiGroup, have lobbyists who are bundlers and contributors.
  • The two biggest telephone companies, Verizon and AT&T, also stand to gain from a President Romney.

   Rick  Santorum

• Rick Santorum is not nearly as directly connected to K Street as Mitt Romney; however, the health care industry is best positioned to gain a connection to his presidency since the only two active lobbyists tied to his campaign are currently lobbying for the industry. (Lobbyist Campaign Officials)
• Santorum has received only 21 contributions from a current lobbyist.  This ironically is a very low number for someone who was reported to have been involved with the K Street Project. (Lobbyist Contributors)
• There are 14 current lobbyists who are former Santorum staffers; surprisingly, 9 of them have not donated to his presidential campaign. (Lobbyist Contributors)

Report Sections (download full report)

• Client and Firm Scorecard
• Lobbyist Campaign Officials
• Lobbyist Bundlers
• Lobbyist Contributors
• Report Infographic
• Update: More Lobbyists Line Up for Romney

Methodology: First Street Research Group examined all of the advisors and staffers of the Romney campaign and matched them to First Street’s database of registered lobbyists.  The list of lobbyist bundlers comes from the FEC and the list of lobbyist contributors comes from First Street which uses the 2011 LD-203 filings.  All client activity, lobbying totals and other data was analyzed using First Street.

More Information:

For any further information on the K Street Lines Up For Romney report or a copy of the Appendices, please contact:

First Street Research Group
CQ Press, an imprint of SAGE Publications
2300 N Street NW
Washington DC 20037
(202) 729-1800
Email: firststreet@cqpress.com