Ballard Partners, a prominent lobbying firm led by a top fundraiser for President Donald Trump, has experienced a significant surge in quarterly lobbying revenues compared to the same period last year. The firm is set to report a staggering $14 million in lobbying revenues for the first three months of 2025, more than double the $6.2 million it brought in last quarter. This is a substantial increase from the $4.2 million reported in the first quarter of 2024.
The lobbying industry tends to see a boost in business at the beginning of a new administration, and this trend was already evident on K Street before Trump’s re-election. Ballard Partners, under the leadership of longtime Florida lobbyist Brian Ballard, established a Washington office shortly after Trump’s initial victory in 2017. The firm quickly became a sought-after resource for companies and trade associations seeking to navigate the unpredictable political landscape of the Trump administration.
Despite employing a number of Democratic lobbyists, Ballard’s business saw a decline during the Biden administration. Nevertheless, the firm remained among the top 20 lobbying firms on K Street. However, with Trump back in office for a second term, Ballard’s fortunes have taken a positive turn.
The firm’s rise in 2025 reflects the typical pattern of corporate America seeking to establish connections with an incoming president or congressional leader. Ballard, along with other firms closely aligned with the administration such as Miller Strategies, Mercury Public Affairs, Michael Best Strategies, and Continental Strategies, have experienced a surge in new business since November.
Ballard has disclosed over 130 new lobbying clients since Election Day, including major corporations like JPMorgan Chase, Chevron, Palantir, Netflix, Ripple Labs, and the Business Roundtable. The firm has also taken on clients that have faced scrutiny from the Trump administration, such as Harvard University, the Public Broadcasting Service, and Kirkland & Ellis. Additionally, Ballard is registered to lobby for Axel Springer, the parent company of POLITICO.
Several former lobbyists from Ballard now hold key positions in Trump’s second administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Another Ballard alum, Trent Morse, serves as Trump’s deputy director of personnel. The firm’s connections in Florida have also proven beneficial, with relationships established with influential Floridians like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Overall, Ballard Partners’ success in 2025 underscores the ongoing importance of lobbying firms in shaping policy and influencing decision-makers in Washington. As the political landscape continues to evolve, firms like Ballard will remain pivotal players in the realm of government relations.
