What Is A Lobbyist?

In simple terms, a lobbyist is one who advocates for the person signing the paycheck, so that certain ideas and interests are considered by elected officials. Not only that, a lobbyist uses advertising and other public relations tactics to persuade both government leaders and people in the population who are considered leaders.

The term comes from the place where much of this influence-peddling takes place, the lobbies, side rooms and foyers of buildings frequented by politicians, salesmen and others. Over the years, many of the lobbyists who work Washington D.C. on a regular basis have established offices on K street.

Lobbying is an expensive undertaking, not only because the individuals must live in a major city, but because they must entertain and provide gifts to those they wish to influence. Federal and state regulations are in place to keep the exchange of valuable items and money under control, though bribes are not unheard of in the world of lobbyists. This has given the job a negative reputation, since the public seems to hear of the people who have crossed a certain regulatory line.

Lobbyists do serve a necessary function in some cases, as they provide information on certain industries and projects that legislators might not otherwise have at hand. But many who watch the industry closely find that this practical function is a small part of the activity for the most influential lobbyists. These men and women, considered by some as “major players” in the political world, often represent massive corporations that can afford the cost of lobbying on a federal level.

Lobbyists may also represent an organization, such as the combined efforts of farmers and rural residents, or a consumer group that advocates for better regulation of food, drugs or various products. But whether they stand in for a corporation or a consumer group, lobbyists must be articulate and persuasive. In just about every case, they must also be knowledgeable in the area they represent. Often, a lobbyist might be one of the two or three most informed people on a particular subject.

However, one of the key talents for a lobbyist it the ability to make connections, meet the right people and, most importantly, remember them at the right time. Much of the lobbying that takes place in federal and state capitals happens in person, with charts, documents and computer printouts that present the client’s case to the legislator and staff, in a positive way.

It is not unusual for some lobbyists to actually help legislators and their senior staff members write legislation, using information from the industry or group the lobbyist represents. For most lobbyists, the key to access is money, with campaign contributions to individual Senators and Congressmen opening many doors.

While there are no strict certification or licensing regulations, lobbyists must register with the government entity they will be lobbying. Most are quite honest and even helpful to the public. The few who step over the line, get greedy or use less-than-admirable tactics have cast a cloud over the job.

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