Andrew Blunt

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Andrew Blunt on November 2, 2010, in Springfield, Missouri, before his father, Roy Blunt, won his U.S. Senate campaign.

Andrew Blunt is a Missouri political consultant and founder of state-based consulting firm Statehouse Strategies LLC. He is the son of former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and the brother of former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt. The Missouri Times named Andy 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.” Blunt's extensive client list has been credited by some to his diverse range of experiences and relationships at the Missouri state capital,[1][2] while others assert that his clients are attracted to the influence he has on his father.[3][4] Blunt is a state lobbyist and does not lobby the federal government.

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.[1] 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.[1]

Professional life[edit]

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.[5] In 2016 Blunt began Statehouse Strategies LCC, a lobbying firm that focused on the Missouri General Assembly.[6] 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.[7] 

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.” [8] 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. [9]

Campaign manager[edit]

In 2004, Blunt built on his campaign management electoral success by managing his brother's successful campaign for governor 2004. 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.[10] Andy Blunt managed his father's successful campaign for re-election to the United States Senate in 2016.[11] The 2016 race was one of the most competitive in the country where Senator Roy Blunt defeated a rising star in the Democrat 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.[12] The FEC dismissed those assertions finding no wrongdoing.[13][14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Andy Blunt: Having the Ball During Crunch Time - The Missouri Times".
  2. ^ "100+ List: Part 1 - The Missouri Times".
  3. ^ Raasch, Chuck. "Mizzou to pay $10,000 a month to Andy Blunt to lobby in Jefferson City". STLtoday.com.
  4. ^ Raasch, Chuck. "Andy Blunt says there is no conflict between his lobbying and running his father's campaign". STLtoday.com.
  5. ^ "Former State Rep. Torpey joins Andy Blunt's Lobbying Firm".
  6. ^ Mannies, Jo. "Sen. Blunt's lobbyist son sets up new firm in Jefferson City".
  7. ^ "HB Strategies".
  8. ^ https://themissouritimes.com/100-list-part-1/
  9. ^ https://thehill.com/homenews/4340803-the-hills-top-lobbyists-2023/
  10. ^ "The top campaigns of 2010". Politico.
  11. ^ "Blunt's Campaign Manager to Lobby for Mizzou".
  12. ^ 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)
  13. ^ "FEC Claim No Violation".
  14. ^ "Letter from FEC" (PDF).