Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski’s days representing the Puerto Rican government inside the Beltway may be numbered.
Democratic Gov. Ricardo Rossello aired on the side of caution when asked on Saturday if Lewandowski was getting results on behalf of the debt-ridden U.S. territory.
“So far we’ve gotten to meet with certain officials in the administration, they’ve even put into writing some of the things for Puerto Rico that are critical but, of course, it’s not just a consideration on Lewandowksi, it’s a consideration on all our employees and all our people that are working for government,” Rosello told the Washington Examiner during a wide–randing interview at the governor’s mansion over the weekend.
The 38-year-old governor took office in January and has been charged with leading the island’s 6 million residents out from staggering unemployment and its $70 million debt.
Puerto Rico hired Lewandowski’s Avenue Strategies lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., to help influence the White House to come around to his positions.
The second generation governor said Lewandowski will be kept on beyond his four-month contract if he is able to attain results.
“I’ve had the chance to sit down with him. He’s been quite knowledgeable of what we want to do in Puerto Rico so forth … a little over four months into both administrations and the jury’s still out,” Rossello said.
While Lewandowski’s firm has secured a meeting between Rossello and various administration officials, including the White House deputy chief of staff for legislative, intergovernmental affairs and implementation, Rick Dearborn, he has yet to set up a sit-down meeting for his client and President Trump.
That Rossello has not spoken with Trump is not because he is worried about the implications of meeting with the Republican president.
“I don’t see how having a relationship with the president to the U.S. could be negative for Puerto Rico and I would welcome the opportunity,” Rossello said. “I’m looking forward to establishing relationships because it’s in the best interest of Puerto Rico and in the longer term, best interest of the United States.”
A report published last week stated another Lewandowski firm, Washington East West Political Strategies, promised to arrange “meeting with well-established figures,” including Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, “key members of the U.S. administration” and outside Trump allies.
Rossello said Lewandowski never promised that he would meet Trump, but the potential end in contract could indicate the K Street lobbyist over-promised and under-delivered.
