Lobbying and Diversity

Interesting article by Alex Gangitano from the Hill on lobbying and diversity:

A battle is brewing on K Street over an effort by progressives to ensure a Biden administration is devoid of any former Wall Street executives or corporate lobbyists. 

Black and Latino lobbyists say a ban of that sort would end up shutting out minorities and could make the administration less diverse if Democrats win back the White House.

The tensions date back to April, when eight progressive groups wrote a letter calling on former Vice President Joe Biden to vow not to appoint any “current or former Wall Street executives or corporate lobbyists, or people affiliated with the fossil fuel, health insurance or private prison corporations” to his transition team, Cabinet or as top aides.

That demand did not sit well with some minority lobbyists, who argue that corporate lobbyists shouldn’t be denied a spot in the administration.

...

“The reality is, if you want to be in a position where you’re choosing from the broadest diverse group of qualified people, especially in the economic space, you do have to acknowledge that a number who would serve in a Biden administration will come with corporate experience from the finance sector,” [Paul Thornell, a principal and the only Black lobbyist at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas] said.