John Ross | Lobbyist | Swatek Azbell Howe & Ross
Ross has spent the last decade working his way up from a staffer on then-Congressman Bob Riley’s first gubernatorial campaign to his current position as a founding partner of one of the state’s top governmental and political affairs firms.
He served on Gov. Riley’s Inaugural Committee after he won, then went to work as as a district aide to Congressman Robert Aderholt, where he acted as the congressman’s liaison to federal, state and local entities.
But where Ross really made a name for himself was in his job as Executive Director of the Alabama Republican Party between 2007 and 2011.
As ALGOP’s top staffer, Ross oversaw the 2010 election cycle in which Republicans swept every statewide race, gained two congressional seats and flipped both houses of the Alabama Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. The GOP had a net gain of 17 seats in the Alabama House and 7 seats in the Alabama Senate during the 2010 cycle.
Many Republicans in the legislature still credit Ross with helping them win their seat. Those relationships served as the perfect launching pad for Ross to team up with three other prominent Republican consultants to launch his current firm.
Over the last quadrennium, Ross has expanded his reach significantly. His client list is very diverse, including the Alabama Road Builders Association, Nucor Steel, and the University of West Alabama.
But even though he’s been focused on expanding his lobbying portfolio, Ross is still one of the most sought after campaign consultants in the state. GOP legislative leadership trusts him to such an extent that he’s their first call when they’re needing someone to run their own campaign.
He’s well known among his peers and legislators alike as a tireless worker, but his most valuable asset may be his likability. Look around all you want, but you won’t find a nicer guy in Alabama politics.
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