After Washington insider Mel Hall’s campaign confirmed he worked for a DC lobbying firm, the Walorski for Congress released the following statement: from campaign manager Stephen Simonetti:
“Mel Hall’s campaign just confirmed what we already knew: he worked for a big D.C. firm that lobbied for a fraudulent pharmaceutical company, predatory payday lenders, and other special interests. Now Mel Hall is so desperate to hide from his record as a Washington insider, he’s lying about the campaign contributions he’s taken from lobbyists. Hoosiers are tired of Mel Hall’s false attacks and misleading claims, and they know Jackie Walorski will always put Hoosier families first.”
FACT: Dentons is a D.C. lobbying firm.
- In 2012, Dentons reported $8.25 million in total lobbying income. (“Dentons US,”OpenSecrets) Dentons website features an article from earlier this month touting Dentons as “the number two Top Governmental Affairs firm by James Magazine in its September 2018 Top Lobbyists issue.” (“Dentons named number two Top Governmental Affairs firm by James Magazine,” Dentons, 10/1/18)
FACT: Mel Hall worked at D.C. lobbying firm Dentons.
- Mel Hall made a contribution to the Dentons corporate PAC in 2011, listing Dentons as his employer (“Page by Page Report Display (Page 31 of 102),”Federal Election Commission). Mel Hall’s campaign and Dentons confirmed he held a position at the firm through March 2014.
FACT: Despite the Hall campaign’s claims, at least two registered lobbyists have donated to Mel Hall’s campaign.
- Mel Hall’s campaign claimed it “refuses to accept corporate PAC donations or contributions from lobbyists.” At least two registered lobbyists have made contributions to Mel Hall’s campaign. (“Lurie, Sander,” OpenSecrets); (“Bailey, Stefan LB,” OpenSecrets)
