Youngest Blunt makes mark as Capitol lobbyist

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Among the hordes of lobbyists that have descended upon the state Capitol this legislative session is one relatively new face with a prominent political pedigree.

Andy Blunt, son of U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt and brother of Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt, has been trolling the Capitol halls as an advocate for some of the nation's most influential corporate interests.

At age 26, Andy Blunt's client list includes such big hitters as Philip Morris, Miller Brewing Company, Southwestern Bell, United Parcel Service and The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co.

Blunt said he's worked hard to develop his client list and denied, when asked, that his father's influence in Washington had anything to do with his success.

"These are big companies, and at the end of the day they are going to hire who they think will work hard, and I think I have done that," Blunt said. "These folks are companies that have business with the state of Missouri, which Roy Blunt has nothing to do with."

But the companies do have relationships with Blunt's father, who as majority whip is the No. 3 House Republican. Roy Blunt is also one of the top fund-raisers on Capitol Hill, raising more than $6 million for his colleagues' campaigns in 2002.

According to federal campaign finance reports, SBC Communications and its affiliates gave at least $145,000 to Roy Blunt and his fund-raising operations. Philip Morris gave at least $110,000, Burlington Northern and Sante Fe Railway gave $60,000, and UPS gave $15,000.

Roy Blunt, a former Missouri secretary of state, said in an interview that he had no influence over which clients choose his son to work for them.

"I couldn't tell you who his clients are," Roy Blunt said. "He understands the community and he understands state government and would be a logical choice for working with state agencies. Andy is one of those guys who has very good judgment, and people will be comfortable going to him for advice."

'I hope it doesn't hurt'

Asked whether he thought the Blunt name had helped his son develop his client list, Roy Blunt said: "I hope it doesn't hurt. None of my children seemed to be disadvantaged in Jefferson City by who they were."

David Webber, a political scientist at the University of Missouri-Columbia and a longtime Capitol observer, said that Andy Blunt's quick success at landing major clients causes him concern.

"It certainly makes me nervous," Webber said. "Lobbying is all about access, and I'm sure his clients know what his last name is and know that he sees his brother and father for family dinners."

Andy Blunt maintains that his own hard work -- and not his last name or his influential relatives -- have helped him succeed both as a lobbyist and attorney with the firm of Schreimann, Rackers, Francka and Blunt. Blunt has been registered as a lobbyist since 2001.

"It helps me in the sense that I was raised with an understanding of government," Blunt said. "It's helpful to understand the political process and how government works, and I certainly do."

While he considers himself "the Blunt that chose not to be in public life," Andy Blunt also has been active in political campaigns.

Most notably, he ran his brother's 2000 campaign for secretary of state and is likely to play an important role in Matt Blunt's expected run for governor in 2004.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Associated Press Washington Correspondent Libby Quaid contributed to this report.