Tuesday’s elections will not only threaten the balance of power within Congress, but also could bring about a shift in K Street. They could also bring about a major shift in K Street’s power — making a 48-year old lobbyist at a start-up firm one of the most powerful people living in Washington.
Although Jeff Miller isn’t a household name, he will be a huge influencer when the next Congress takes office.
Because Miller is the closest person on K Street to Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
A former McCarthy aide said that many people believe they are close to Kevin. “There are few people who talk to him about stuff, or that he reaches to proactively address stuff. Obviously Jeff is a key figure in that group.”
They met while Miller was in highschool , when he was working as a Republican Party intern. McCarthy was 10 years older and was a district rep for a California congressman. Miller was a lawmaker by the time McCarthy bid to lead the Republican Conference back in 2015. Miller has remained a loyal ally, confidant, travel companion and helpful fundraiser ever since.
He was there with McCarthy at a Virginia Beach campaign event on Monday night, the night before the election that could deliver McCarthy his long-awaited Speaker’s gavel.
Miller, who is a paid lobbyist at some of America’s largest companies, will be the K Street operative with unparalleled access if McCarthy becomes Speaker.
Sam Geduldig, another GOP lobbyist, stated that “everyone else is a distant third”.
It has been difficult to establish a relationship between elected officials and influence industry members. Staff and members frequently go through the revolving doors. Few relationships are as close as Miller and McCarthy.
Businesses have found it attractive to be near the California Republican, which has made it easy to bring their concerns and pet causes before Congress.
Miller Strategies was founded in 2017. It represents a number of Fortune 500 companies that are of major legislative interest. These include Altria, pharmaceutical giant Altria and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Elon Musk’s SpaceX is just one example of the Connected Commerce Council, which has been funded by big-tech. According to McCarthy and Miller, potential new clients have been approaching the firm already, according to McCarthy and a GOP agent. According to public records, Miller Strategies has signed several new clients recently, including the United States Tennis Association.
Miller chose to praise the man with whom they have shared a special bond, and declined to discuss his business strategy.
Miller stated, “I have known Kevin for over 30 years and I couldn’t be more proud of his raw determination, determination and hard work to make every thing that he’s making possible not only for the House, but for the nation.” Miller said, “The guy is an incredible leader, and it’s a privilege to know him.”
Miller may face challenges in a Republican-run Congress, even though his relationship with McCarthy is set to pay off. Miller will need to balance his work with a variety of large corporate entities as well as a GOP leadership that is increasingly hostile towards Big Business. McCarthy has also attacked the Chamber of Commerce, Washington’s main corporate lobby, for its support of Democrats.
Conservative activists have asked for the House Republicans to investigate companies that removed advertisements from Twitter following Elon Musk’s purchase of the site. Other large entities, including Disney and Major League Baseball have also been subject to intense Republican criticism for taking socially liberal stances. Some GOP lawmakers pledged to crack down on tech monopolies.
These tensions were evident when Miller’s company parted ways from Amazon Web Services client. Conservatives have targeted Amazon, a tech giant that is most prominently ex-President Donald Trump.
The Republican Party has also been criticized by corporate America. Some major companies pledged not to give to Republican legislators who opposed the certification of Joe Biden’s election following the riot at Capitol. This included McCarthy.
However, these boycotts are now partially over. Miller has been a valuable asset to the GOP in this regard. Miller worked to alleviate concerns from corporate donors following the Jan. 6 riot, and to make sure that the big dollar spigot was open. Leigh Ann Gillis, National Republican Congressional Committee finance chief, called Miller the “MVP” of House Republican fundraising efforts in this cycle.
Miller is not a typical K Street power player. Miller splits his time between Texas, D.C. and is a bit more unique than other lobbyists in the area (he is also principal at tax services firm Ryan). He did not graduate from college. McCarthy was born in Tehachapi in California to a working-class family. His father owned a gun manufacturing company. McCarthy met his father while working for Rep. Bill Thomas (R.Calif.) to repeal firearm-related legislation.
John Stipicevic, McCarthy’s former deputy chief-of-staff who was described by other Republican lobbyists as the second closest McCarthy insider at K Street, said that “Jeff had always had Kevin’s ear.” “They grew together in the world politics in D.C.”
Miller is also relatively new to Washington’s influence-peddling business. Miller did not start lobbying Congress or the White House until Trump took office. Miller was also an advisor to the former governor of California, and served as a McCarthy adviser. Arnold Schwarzenegger was the campaign manager for Rick Perry’s 2016 presidential candidacy.
Contemporaries describe his style as direct. He is also not afraid to engage in dark political arts.
Miller was embroiled in scandal because of some of his California political deals. While he wasn’t formally charged with misconduct, the dark money scheme that he ran alongside a business partner in California regarding California ballot initiatives resulted in a probe which led to millions in fines against other groups.
Washington D.C. has been, however, a largely positive place for him, particularly during Trump’s administration.
Miller was confirmed to be Energy Secretary by Perry. This meant that Miller had connections to Cabinet officials. Companies noticed. Miller’s first D.C. clients were Energy Transfer Partners and Southern Company. According to documents obtained under Freedom of Information Act by American Oversight, Miller was able meet with key officials such as Perry and Steven Mnuchin.
Business slowdown after Trump’s departure. The revenue of the firm dropped from $14 million in 2020 down to just under $8 million by 2021.
But political winds shift. As Republicans are likely to retake one or two chambers of Congress, Miller may soon be the Republican’s golden ticket.
Geduldig stated that “I don’t think… McCarthy would be as successful a fundraiser without Jeff’s help,” and that even the GOP leader “would admit that.”
Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carrney contributed reporting.
