Top Federal Lobbyists Named to 2011 List
A total of 12,792 professionals lobbied in the first three quarters of 2011. At the top of this group are a small number of individuals so powerful that they have earned a place on the First Street 30. Designation on the First Street 30 list demonstrates the power of these lobbyists and First Street™, a platform that tracks money and influence in Washington, D.C. For the first time, a detailed analysis of the scope of the influence of these lobbyists is possible. Welcome to the inaugural edition of the First Street 30.
First Street was released earlier this year by CQ Press, one of the leading publishers in politics. In the months since its launch, First Street quickly became an essential resource for analyzing the people and organizations influencing policy.
Analysis of the data in the vast First Street political intelligence platform enabled a unique 2011 listing of 30 of the most influential and connected lobbyists in the industry. To be compiled annually, this list includes three categories, each with 10 names: ex-members of Congress; ex-congressional staffers, and professional lobbyists. The 2011 First Street 30 paints a clear picture of the professionals on the list who pull in the most money, have the most clients, and represent the biggest corporations. The names on the First Street 30 list each average over 50 clients. These clients paid an average of $144,737 apiece for the lobbying efforts of the First Street 30 through the first three quarters of 2011. The top names of the First Street 30 brought in even more money and clients.
- The analysis confirms, with solid data, that being an ex-member of Congress pays—and pays big: The average amount received by ex-members of Congress per client topped $178,000 in 2011, while ex-staffers received $147,526, and professional lobbyists brought in $108,076.
Significantly, ex-members represented an average of only 31 clients compared to 50 clients for ex-staffers (50) and 75 for professional lobbyists (75.2). Clearly, ex-members are selective about whom they represent, and their clients pay accordingly.
- The analysis also reveals that big companies spend the most to hire the best, and they spread their money around: General Electric used 10 lobbyists from the First Street 30—the most representation retained by any organization. Pfizer and Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. were close behind—each represented by seven of the First Street 30 lobbyists.
First Street 30 Lists
- Senator John Breaux: D LA-7 (1972–1987) & D-LA (1986–2005)—Breaux Lott Leadership Group & Patton Boggs LLP
- Representative Thomas Downey: D NY-2 (1975–1993)—Downey McGrath Group, Inc.
- Representative Victor Fazio: D CA-3 (1979–1999)—Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Representative Richard Gephardt: D MO-3 (1977–2005)—Gephardt Group Government Affairs
- Senator Tim Hutchinson: R AK-3 (1993–1997) & R-AK (1997–2003)—Dickstein Shapiro LLP
- Representative Robert Livingston: R LA-1 (1977–1999)—The Livingston Group, L.L.C.
- Senator Trent Lott: R MS-5 (1973–1989) & R-MS (1989–2007)—Breaux Lott Leadership Group & Patton Boggs LLP
- Representative James McCrery, III: R LA-4 (1988–1989)—Capitol Counsel, LLC
- Representative Bill Paxon: R NY-31 (1989–1993) & R NY-27 (1993–1999)—Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Representative Vin Weber: R MN-6 (1981–1983) & R MN-2 (1983–1993)—Clark & Weinstock
- Randall Gerard — Podesta Group, Inc.
- Christopher W. Hatcher — Williams and Jensen, PLLC.
- Kate Hull — Fierce, Isakowitz & Blalock
- Drew Maloney — Ogilvy Government Relations
- Jeffrey McMillen — Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Michael Merola—Winning Strategies Washington
- Daniel Meyer — The Duberstein Group, Inc.
- Jonathan Talisman — Capitol Tax Partners, LLP
- Alex Vogel — Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, Inc.
- Letitia White — Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC
- Wayne Berman — Ogilvy Government Relations
- Jack MacAuley Burkman — J M Burkman & Associates
- Jack Steven Hart — Williams and Jensen, PLLC.
- Lindsay Hooper — Capitol Tax Partners, LLP
- Mark McInytre — Russ Reid Company
- Anthony Podesta — Podesta Group, Inc.
- John Raffaelli — Capitol Counsel, LLC
- Barney Skladany — Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Michael Smith — Cornerstone Government Affairs, LLC
- H. Stewart Van Scoyoc — Van Scoyoc Associates & Capitol Decisions, Inc.
Data and Methodology
To compile the list, the First Street Research Group reviewed available 2011 lobbying data for lobbyists employed by lobbying firms aggregated in First Street, based on two sets of quantitative data:
- The number of clients they represented; and
- The cumulative amount of money their firm was paid by the clients they represented.
Once the data was analyzed and the initial lists created, further qualitative factors were employed to narrow down the lists, including the number of Fortune 100 clients the lobbyists represented and the diversity of their clients.
The First Street Research Group analyzed the available lobbying data from January 1, 2011, through November 6, 2011. Background information on the lobbyists who are ex-members and ex-staffers comes from First Street. See the Methodology section of this report for more information on the data used and how the First Street 30 were selected.
More Information:
For any further information on the First Street 30, 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
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