If You Can't Beat 'Em ...
Is Republican lobbyist Ed Rogers becoming the Democratic Party's newest fundraiser?
This week, Rogers co-hosted an event for Charles Schumer of New York, the Senate Democratic Conference vice chairman. The affair raised more than $25,000 for the Empire State's senior senator. It was the second time recently that Rogers has put his name on a fundraising invitation for a Democrat: On March 24, he co-hosted a fundraiser for former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who is running for governor in Virginia.
Until last year, Rogers's lobbying firm, BGR Group, hired Republicans only, and the Alabama native and GOP strategist never hosted a campaign event for a Democrat, although he occasionally donated to them. "Jonathan Mantz made me do it," joked Rogers, when asked about his decision to become a host for Democrats. Mantz is BGR's senior Democratic lobbyist and the former national finance director for then-presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.
"It's hard to hide from Mantz," Rogers said. "He's got a smooth, effective, sort of cheerful demeanor that is hard to say no to."
(National Journal's BARA VAIDA)
Join the Discussion
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus