Are state capital lobbyists (ex. Richmond or Annapolis) just as rich as DC lobbyists?

[Anonymous]

Met a state lobbyist last week at a function. Arrogant and gregarious guy. The way he was sharing stories sounded like he was drowning in millions and couldn't spend money fast enough. I figured he was a blowhard bulls***er but close friends there confirmed he is in fact that wealthy. Are there a lot of guys like that getting THAT wealthy lobbying podunk state lawmakers? Or maybe he's an outlier.

[Anonymous]

no

[Anonymous]

The money goes farther when you have to live near Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

What state?

Money goes farther in some states.

I have a relative who is a lobbyist in WV. He's very well off there, but would be poor af here.

[Anonymous]

I think state contract lobbyists can do quite well if they have blue chip clients and can deliver value in an important state bonus points if they’re influential in party politics. Generally they live in lower cost of living/lower cost to do business locations and most state legislatures are part time - meaning for a contract lobbyist there’s not much to do several months a year.

[Anonymous]

The more successful state contract lobbyists in MD/VA make upper six figures, with a handful topping seven figures. Not DC, but still a considerable amount of money by most standards

[Anonymous]

My relative is a long-standing lobbyist in Illinois and has done very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think state contract lobbyists can do quite well if they have blue chip clients and can deliver value in an important state bonus points if they’re influential in party politics. Generally they live in lower cost of living/lower cost to do business locations and most state legislatures are part time - meaning for a contract lobbyist there’s not much to do several months a year.

So the big money is lobbying for state vendors, not policy?

[Anonymous]

Many states have far less restrictive lobbying laws than the federal government. Easier to play the game and make a ton at the state level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The money goes farther when you have to live near Baltimore.

Do you mean annapolis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many states have far less restrictive lobbying laws than the federal government. Easier to play the game and make a ton at the state level.

Every state capital is a cesspool and corruption runs much deeper than the highly scrutinized Federal system. It’s not just lobbying that makes your guy money, I’m sure there is some serious shady stuff going down too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The money goes farther when you have to live near Baltimore.

Do you mean annapolis?

No. A lot of the big state lobbying firms are based out of Baltimore rather than Annapolis.

[Anonymous]

I hire them in most states. Sure I don't pay them as much as my DC consutlants but they make a ton for their COLA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many states have far less restrictive lobbying laws than the federal government. Easier to play the game and make a ton at the state level.

Every state capital is a cesspool and corruption runs much deeper than the highly scrutinized Federal system. It’s not just lobbying that makes your guy money, I’m sure there is some serious shady stuff going down too.

And there's so few journalists watching state capitols. If there beat reporters, it's a handful of naive 23 year old kids who don't know anything.

[Anonymous]

I do multi-state lobbying in house for a large corporation and Im paid comparatively to my DC peers. My contract lobbyist are paid between 2k/mo and 5500/mo. Compare that to DC where our contract lobbyist is 30k/mo.