GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - House Speaker
Bobby Harrell's younger brother is opening a lobbying office in Columbia
for a Florida company.
The announcement Wednesday from Southern Strategy Group underscores
the relationship with the Republican speaker.
John Harrell "is also the brother of newly elected House Speaker
Bobby Harrell," the release says.
The Charleston legislator took over as speaker in June as former
state Rep. David Wilkins resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to Canada.
The lobby's firm's language "a rather vulgar and transparent attempt
to make prospective clients think that they're going to obtain a special
advantage not available to them through other lobbyists to influence the
legislative process," said John Crangle, executive director of the state
chapter of Common Cause, a Washington-based government watchdog group.
"Now we know what Republicans mean when they say they're pro-family."
Lachlan McIntosh, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said
Thursday.
John Harrell has had a lobbying and public relations business in
Charleston since 2001, but has not lobbied the Legislature, Bobby
Harrell said. His partner, Brandon Dermody, a former U.S. Senate aide,
is registered with the State Ethics Commission to lobby the Legislature.
"He's my brother, I care about him a lot, we're close, but when he
told me he was going to do this, I told him very clearly he would not
have an impact on my decisions or legislation," Bobby Harrell said. He
says he had no control over his brother's decision.
Close relationships with a House speaker can be vital for lobbyists.
As one of the state's most powerful figures, the speaker has broad
influence to kill, stall, pass or amend bills.
Southern Strategy Group's internet site promises clients
"unparalleled access to top decision-makers." The six-year-old
Tallahassee, Fla.,-based firm bills itself as the Southeast's largest
lobbying firm with 19 lobbyists and 150 clients in five states.
House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, said he trusts the
speaker, but he "would be disappointed if Bobby's brother used being his
brother to feather his nest."
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Information from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com/
