Political notes: Lobby firm partner leaving firm he helped start, Cox touts Trump poll, Cardin addresses controversy

Changes in the Annapolis lobbying world happen all the time. But this is a big one.

A “name” partner of one of Annapolis’ most high-powered lobbying firms is moving on to start a government relations practice at one of the top PR shops in Maryland.

Josh White, a founding partner of Perry White Ross & Jacobson, is joining Baltimore-based KO Public Affairs to launch a full-scale lobbying practice, which includes opening an office on Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis.

KO staffers have done some government relations work in the past — three are currently registered to lobby in the upcoming General Assembly session. But it has always been a minor part of the powerhouse firm’s services.

“This is something we’ve talked about on and off,” said Steve Kearney, one of KO’s founding partners. “Josh will bring some new focus and leadership and take it to a new level. This seemed like the right time.”

White, whose clients at Perry White include pharmaceutical interests, energy companies and real estate developers, among others, is expected to take about 10 clients with him to the new venture. But unlike some Annapolis lobbying firm defections, this one appears to be cordial and drama-free.

“For me, it was an opportunity to try something new,” White said. “There was some appeal to start up a new government relations firm with people I’ve known a long time and have had a good working relationship with and who I have been friends with, too.”

Perry White and KO have collaborated on campaigns in recent years, working in tandem for the pharmaceutical industry and for Ports America Chesapeake, the cargo and shipping operation at the Port of Baltimore. The two firms have also found themselves on opposing sides on state and local certain policy debates.

White said the people at KO “have very good political instincts.”

This is not White’s first high-profile departure from a lobbying shop: He left the firm now known as Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC a decade ago to help start Perry White.

White is one of many Annapolis lobbyists who are former aides or colleagues of the late state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D). He was also the executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party and campaign manager to former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) in O’Malley’s first campaign for governor in 2006, where he worked closely with KO’s partners. He also worked for a time in the O’Malley administration.

White said he will be working with KO’s three registered lobbyists — Rick Abbruzzese, a partner of the firm, Juwan Blocker and Beth Levine — to try to build the lobbying practice in the years ahead.

“It will be very much a team atmosphere,” he said.

White is the second “name” partner to depart Perry White in recent years. Justin Ross, whose name remains on the shingle, left in 2021 to become an executive with a sports media company.

Ross continues to retain one lobbying client in Maryland: The Washington Commanders.

Perry did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Cox: Trump poll numbers show I can win

Former Del. Dan Cox, one of several Republicans seeking the GOP nomination for the 6th District congressional seat, continues to hew closely to former President Trump, just as he did during his unsuccessful run for governor in 2022 — even though that posture hurt him in the general election.

In an email to supporters late Monday night, Cox wrote that several national polls showing Trump leading President Biden in swing states “show we can win this race with your help.”

“It is undeniable and electric,” Cox wrote of Trump’s momentum and its perceived impact on his own campaign.

Cox goes on to note that he is “the only person in this race who has publicly endorsed and supports President Trump to be our 47th President.” And he then links to a poll from Morning Consult taken Nov. 1-30 showing Trump way ahead in a hypothetical Maryland GOP presidential primary with 62% of the vote, compared to 13% for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, 12% for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, 9% for former tech executive Vivek Ramaswamy, and 3% for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

“This shows that my candidacy has the strength for winning both the primary and general election because Marylanders want a genuine, proven fighter for our families and freedom,” Cox concludes.

Cardin responds to scandal

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D) said this week that he was “angry” and “disappointed” after news reports that one of his former aides filmed a sex tape in a Senate hearing room.

The recordings were first revealed Friday evening.

Over the weekend, Cardin released a two-sentence statement that said simply: “Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the U.S. Senate.  We will have no further comment on this personnel matter.”

The recording is under investigation by Capitol Police, Cardin said to reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday.

“It’s a breach of trust,” he said, according to a CBS News report. “It’s a tragic situation, and it’s presented a lot of anger and frustration. I’m concerned about our staff and the way that they feel about this.”

CBS News also quoted from a now-deleted LinkedIn post from Maese-Czeropski: “While some of my actions in the past have shown poor [judgment], I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace. Any attempts to characterize my actions otherwise are fabricated and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters.”

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