Andrew Blunt
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Andrew Blunt is the chief executive officer and executive chairman for Husch Blackwell Strategies.[1] He is the son of former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and the brother of former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt.
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Springfield, Missouri, Andy moved to Jefferson City with the rest of the Blunt family when his father, Roy Blunt, was elected as Missouri Secretary of State.[2] When Andy was in college, his father Roy ran for the United States Congress. Simultaneous to building his business, Blunt has served as the principal political advisor to his brother and father as well as to Mike Kehoe. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. Andy and his family live near Middleburg, Virginia.[2]
Professional life
[edit]Husch Blackwell Strategies
[edit]Blunt is the CEO of Husch Blackwell Strategies, a lobbying and public affairs. The firm was established in 2018 with the merger of three government affairs practices of Husch Blackwell LLP, Statehouse Strategies LLC, and Cloakroom Advisors LLC.[3]
Husch Blackwell Strategies has twelve offices nationwide, in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, a federal practice group in Washington, and the HBS Public Affairs group based in St. Louis. U.S. Senator Roy Blunt chairs the firmʻs Leadership Strategies Advisory Services group in Washington.[4]
Husch Blackwell Strategies launched its Public Affairs group in 2024.
Bloomberg Government included Husch Blackwell Strategies in its annual list of Top-Performing Lobbying Firms in Washington.[5] HBS has been included on the list since the firm was established in 2018 when Bloomberg named it Top New Startup that year. The firm ranked among the top quarter of firms in Washington reporting $1 million or more in lobbying revenue in 2023.
Lawyer and lobbyist
[edit]In 2000, Andy Blunt began his career as a political strategist, leading his brother Matt's successful bid for Secretary of State of Missouri. In 2002, Blunt became a founding partner of law firm Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt, LLC.[6] In 2016 Blunt began Statehouse Strategies LCC, a lobbying firm that focused on the Missouri General Assembly.[7] In 2018, Statehouse Strategies and Cloakroom Advisors, LCC announced a joint venture, Husch Blackwell Strategies, LLC, a national government relations firm headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri.[8]
The Missouri Times named Blunt one of the 100+ people to know in Missouri politics for the previous four years, stating, "If this list was the 5+ [people to know], Andy Blunt would still be on it."[9] Blunt's extensive client list has been credited by some to his diverse range of experiences and relationships at the Missouri state capital, while others assert that his clients are attracted to the influence he has on his father. Blunt was named as one of the top lobbyists in Washington, D.C. by The Hill on its 2023 list.[10]
Campaign manager
[edit]In 2004, Blunt built on his campaign management electoral success by managing his brother's successful campaign for governor. In 2010, Blunt managed his father's campaign for U.S. Senate, featuring two powerhouse families in Missouri politics. Then Congressman Roy Blunt defeated then-Secretary of State Robin Carnahan by 14 points. The campaign carried 112 of Missouri's 114 counties, leading Senator Blunt to a winning margin of 14 percent, the largest midterm win in a Missouri Senate race since 1994. Politico called it one of the Top 10 campaigns in the country in 2010.[11] Andy Blunt managed his father's successful campaign for re-election to the United States Senate in 2016.[12] The 2016 race was one of the most competitive in the country where Senator Roy Blunt defeated a rising star in the Democratic Party that featured three visits to the state by then Vice President Joe Biden.
FEC inquiry
[edit]In 2016, the Federal Elections Commission has asked questions pertaining to Blunt's management of two Political Action Committees that contributed to his father's 2016 Senate re-election campaign.[13] The FEC dismissed those assertions finding no wrongdoing.[14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Andy Blunt". Husch Blackwell Strategies. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Faughn, Scott (July 22, 2014). "Andy Blunt: Having the Ball During Crunch Time". The Missouri Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Mueller, Angela (January 9, 2018). "Government affairs firms merge with Husch Blackwell on joint venture". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Hays, Brady (May 3, 2023). "U.S. Senator Roy Blunt joining Husch Blackwell Strategies is latest step in rapid growth". The Missouri Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Bloomberg Government (2022). "Top-Performing Lobbying Firms" (PDF). pp. 8, 27. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Former State Rep. Torpey joins Andy Blunt's Lobbying Firm".
- ^ Mannies, Jo. "Sen. Blunt's lobbyist son sets up new firm in Jefferson City".
- ^ "HB Strategies".
- ^ "100+ List: Part 1". The Missouri Times. August 31, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "The Hill's Top Lobbyists 2023". The Hill. December 6, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "The top campaigns of 2010". Politico.
- ^ "Blunt's Campaign Manager to Lobby for Mizzou".
- ^ McDermott, Chuck Raasch, Kevin. "FEC query on Roy Blunt campaign donations includes two donors with Andy Blunt ties". STLtoday.com.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "FEC Claim No Violation".
- ^ "Letter from FEC" (PDF).
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