Staff Reports
Veteran lobbyists Chip Case and Foyt Ralston have formed a new firm, Capitol Advocates, to represent clients before the Legislature, executive branch agencies, and in Washington, according to a news release.
“In today’s political climate, clients need advocates in the Capitol who have the expertise to work with policymakers in all branches of government, and who can help them achieve their legislative priorities,” Case said. “We are excited about the access and expertise our team of political veterans is going to bring together for our clients.”
Ralston added, “Our combined experience in both the public and private sector not only gives clients unparalleled access to lawmakers but helps them successfully navigate various local, state and federal branches of government.”
Here’s the rest of the release:
Capitol Advocates represents a variety of business and non-profit clients from throughout the state of Florida in addition to providing crisis communications and political guidance to corporate and political organizations.
For more than 20 years, Case has been involved in state government and politics … He has held nearly every role in state government from legislative assistant to chief of staff.
From 2004-06 he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to House Speaker Allan Bense, where his responsibilities included external affairs, policy development on Medicaid reform, tort Rrform, and transportation, as well as the coordination of all statutory appointments for the Speaker.
Case also has served as one of the state’s leading strategists and fundraisers to various successful election and re-election campaigns for some of the state’s top governmental officials for the last two decades. Upon his re-election to a second term, Case served on the transition team for Gov. Jeb Bush.
In 2006, Case returned to the Republican Party of Florida, where he became Chief of Staff for House campaigns. He was responsible for recruiting candidates, directing strategy and media outreach, fundraising, and managing a $14 million budget for the 2008 cycle.
That year, the Republican Party’s House campaign successfully maintained 76 State House seats for Republicans—the same year that President Obama won Florida and Democrats were expected to make significant gains at the state level.
Ralston has more than 20 years of experience in government relations in the public and private sectors and brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm.
His past professional experiences include serving as Florida’s chief information officer and as chief of staff of the State Technology Office. In this leadership position, Ralston helped create reforms affecting the conduct of business by government and private industry.
Prior to working with the State of Florida executive branch, Ralston was staff director for the Florida Senate Majority Office. He has also served in numerous leadership positions with local and state campaigns as well as with several congressional campaigns.
In the private sector, Ralston has represented various local city and county governments as well as taxing districts. He has represented a variety of clients with diverse issues including information technology, energy, manufacturing, tort reform, public finance, environmental regulation, agriculture, insurance, regulated industries, special taxing districts, healthcare and telecommunications.
