The Best Lobbyists in Texas

This article is a digest of the 2011 Texas Power Rankings at Capitol Inside by Mike Hailey. A subscription is required to read articles at their website. Click here to subscribe.

The Texas Lobby Group is offering this digest for Texas Lobbying Groups, Government Consultants, Lobbyists and all interested parties. For complete coverage of the issue, we recommend you visiting Capitol Inside.

Texas Most Powerful Lobbyists

Mike Hailey, writing for Capitol inside, notes that new Republican legislators look to connect with Mike Toomey and Lara Keel when they first arrive in Austin as freshmen legislators. The Texas Lobby Group may be the most powerful Republican-leaning lobby organization in the state.

The TX Lobby Group consultants help freshmen legislators figure out the ins and outs of their new position, offering advice and assistance in protocol issues and other aspects of the state legislative process. Finding a relationship with Toomey and Keel is a valuable help as they learn the ropes in the complex world of the Texas legislature.

Mike Toomey is a former house member and chief of staff for Governors William Clements and Rick Perry. He is the only man to be chief of staff for two governors, and he has been a key player in the Republican party’s rise to power over the last few decades in Texas. Both Toomey and Keel have proven to be powerful allies and information sources for new Republican legislators.

Rising lobbyist Power Players

Off all the new players in the field, none has risen more sharply than Lara Keel, who is now a partner in the powerful Texas Lobby Group along with Bill Messer and Mike Toomey. In particular, Ms. Keel has a growing influence in the expanding numbers of Republican women legislators in Texas. Along with Toomey and Messer, the Texas Lobby Group has perhaps the three best lobbyists in Texas working together.

Top Hired Gun Lobbyists in Texas

Each year some of the same names appear at the top of Capitol Inside’s list of the top hired gun lobbyists in Texas. This last year was no exception. Mike Toomey, Bill Messer, Rusty Kelley, and Buddy Jones are at the top again, with Toomey and Jones tying for the #1 spot.

Top Texas Lobbying Groups

Sometimes lobbying firms come together as allies. The Texas Capitol group, which includes lobbyists from the Texas Lobby Group, are one of the top affiliated groups. Another top group is HillCo, which works both sides of the aisle, while the Texas Capitol Group stays exclusively affiliated with conservative groups and causes.