With Daniel Lippman

FARA FRIDAY: Alberta’s government has re-upped its representation in Washington ahead of next month’s election, inking a $1.2 million contract with former Obama administration official Beth Burke and Capitol Counsel, according to a copy filed with the Justice Department.

— Burke currently serves as CEO of the Canadian American Business Council and was a longtime staffer for Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) following a stint at the Ex-Im Bank during the Obama administration. Though she’ll be the lead strategist on the account, DOJ filings show, Burke is working as a subcontractor to Capitol Counsel, which has represented the province since 2022. Jonathan Kott, a former aide to Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), will be Capitol Counsel’s lead on the account.

— According to the firms’ pitch to Alberta officials, the lobbyists will work with the oil-rich province to strengthen its ties to key U.S. policymakers, including “key Senators and Governors in the top energy producing states to prepare and focus conversations and engagement” related to the UN’s COP climate summit. The pitch touts Kott as a “key confidant” for his former bosses, while noting that Capitol Counsel also employs former Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) — though he is not registered under FARA and the pitch does not specify that he will work on the account..

— The firms will — of course — also be tracking the results of the elections, noting that “we will need to engage with what is expected to be a very large freshman class in the House and Senate” as well as with staff from the next administration.

— “Meeting new Members early to educate them on your issues and build allies will be crucial to future engagement,” the pitch says, adding that the firms will assist Alberta officials with making congratulatory calls to election winners. Other proposals for making those connections include events like a welcome reception for new members, the annual congressional hockey game or hosting watch parties for sporting events between the U.S. and Canada, per DOJ filings.

— The firms will also be monitoring relevant legislative issues like potential permitting reform and international tax changes, in addition to conversations leading up to 2026’s deadline for reviewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact.

— Alberta isn’t the only foreign government turning to K Street for help prepping for the election. Ontario’s government hired Capitol Counsel in August to craft a pre- and post-election engagement strategy for the province, while other governments like South Korea and Taiwan have retained other firms to better position them for the elections.

Read the full article here: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2024/10/18/alberta-bolsters-lobbying-roster-ahead-of-election-00184439