Here’s how to figure out the likely winner in Tuesday’s struggle for control of the U.S. Senate between the majority Democrats and minority Republicans: Check the pulse of K Street to see whether they are building up their corps of Republicans.
It turns out that the lobbying firms not only are hiring Republicans, but some also have been signing up former top aides in anticipation that the GOP would take charge.
“Yes, any lobby shop which does not have a Senate GOP former senior staffer is trying to find one,” said a Republican lobbyist. And those with the biggest checkbooks are reaching to “actual former GOP senators,” though the best are already on staffs or have opened up their own lobbying offices.
Having a Republican lobbyist who is friendly with GOP senators and staffers could be especially key since the GOP’s leaders have promised to quickly take up stalled legislation such as building the Keystone XL pipeline and tax reform if they take over.
“I would not be surprised to find a dozen or so senior Senate GOP staff lured off the Hill to law firms, associations, corporations, boutiques, etc.,” said another top Republican lobbyist.
But those who are just beginning the search for Republicans to fatten their lobbying staffs are already behind the curve.
Consider the firm headed by former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt. It began hiring top Republican staffers two years ago in what one insider called “a forward-thinking move.”
Former Republican staffers Rob Epplin, Scott Brenner and Tom Blank are “well positioned to boost the firm’s bipartisan credentials in a majority Congress,” an associate said.
Other top K Street firms are touting their GOP “rainmakers” who likely already have good relationships with the House Republican leadership.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
