Lobbyist in talks to sell business
McCoshen eyeing bid to run for governor
How do you know when a lobbyist is getting ready to run for a major public office?
You don’t — because most lobbyists realize they can’t jump from promoting special interests to advancing the public interest. They’ve made their career choice.
But Bill McCoshen isn’t your typical hired gun. Even while building a major contract lobbying firm, McCoshen has harbored aspirations of running for statewide office. He’s now trying to make that come true.
Sources say McCoshen, a Republican, is in advanced talks with Michael Best Strategies, the lobbying arm of the Milwaukee firm Michael Best & Friedrich, to sell his business. Michael Best Strategies is packed with Republican glad-handers in its Wisconsin office but has added some Democrats for its work in other states.
Under the deal, which is still being worked out, Michael Best Strategies would get McCoshen’s blue-chip book of business, including AT&T Wisconsin, General Electric Co., Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual, Pfizer Inc. and the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, better known as the road builders.
McCoshen and his lobbying partner, Tony Langenohl, would join Michael Best Strategies, and McCoshen, the former chief of staff for ex-Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, would soon drop his registration as a lobbyist and run for governor. McCoshen could return to Michael Best Strategies if his gubernatorial bid came up short or, supposing he wins, after his time in office is up.
Not a bad fallback plan, huh? The entire deal is expected to cost Michael Best Strategies as much as seven figures, according to insiders, meaning at least $1 million.
Rob Marchant, president of Michael Best Strategies, declined to discuss the details of the deal.
“Michael Best Strategies continues to have a number of potential expansion opportunities in multiple states and Washington, D.C.,” Marchant said via text. “As a matter of policy, we never publicly confirm nor deny possible acquisitions or new hires until they are final.”
McCoshen did not respond to messages.
But the longtime lobbyist had already sent clear signals that he is interested in seeking the Republican
nomination for governor. His talks with Michael Best Strategies simply serve as further confirmation that he is nearing an official announcement.
Last month, the Wisconsin Conservative Digestreported that McCoshen had told it he will run for governor next year. But he would only tell the Journal Sentinel that he was considering a run — something that has long been known — but hasn’t made a decision. “There are still a few steps in the exploratory process,” McCoshen said by text message. “I won’t make a final decision until June,”
Insiders familiar with his negotiations with Michael Best Strategies gave different timelines for the deal, with some saying it could be done in the next few weeks while others said it is still up to two months from completion. Michael Best Strategies’ board has yet to vote on the issue.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said he won’t decide whether to seek a second term until the state budget is finalized this summer, though it is believed he will run again.
McCoshen is just one of several Republicans who could get in the governor’s race, creating the possibility of a frenzied primary.
Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefischintends to run for governor but has not announced. Former U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson has said he will run for either governor or Senate in 2022, depending on whether Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson retires or seeks a third term.
Among other things, McCoshen’s deal with Michael Best Strategies would make life difficult for state Republican Party Chairman Andrew Hitt.
Hitt, a partner at Michael Best Strategies, will be expected to remain neutral in the GOP primary for governor unless the state Republican Party endorses a candidate. But that wouldn’t happen for more than a year, if it occurs at all.
Hitt declined to comment on the McCoshen deal. Also at Michael Best Strategies is former Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who was chief of staff to ex-President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, it was reported that Priebus is exploring a run for governor or U.S. Senate.
But those familiar with the McCoshen deal said Priebus is on board with it. They downplayed his interest in running for governor.
“It wouldn’t be as far along as it is if it didn’t have his blessing,” said one source.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle for McCoshen’s gubernatorial campaign would be convincing the public that he could run the state while avoiding conflicts of interest with his lobbying clients.
Would his transportation budgets favor the road builders, a group he has represented for two decades? Would his health proposals be influenced by Pfizer, another longtime client? Would the Public Service Commission under his leadership be beholden to AT&T Wisconsin?
And would all of this be complicated by the fact that McCoshen could return to Michael Best Strategies once he left office? State law would keep him from being paid to lobby any state agency for a client for at least a year after he left office.
Matthew Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said the whole arrangement would be unsettling.
“This is all a little too cozy, and the prospect of a revolving door back to lobbying makes my eyebrows jump,” Rothschild said. “If he wins, who would he really be representing? The people of Wisconsin or his former clients and soon-to-be clients?
“The potential for conflicts of interest is just astronomical.”