Lobbying firms with GOP ties join forces

The Keelen Group is joining The Vogel Group, expanding the lobbying firm’s client list and ties to Republican lawmakers. 

Matt Keelen, founder of The Keelen Group and a GOP strategist, will join The Vogel Group as a principal. The firms officially merged Thursday, according to a statement first shared with The Hill.

“Matt and the group will enhance our efforts to build a firm focused on serving clients in these turbulent times across a broad range of policy issues and venues,” Alex Vogel, CEO of The Vogel Group, said in a statement.  

The Vogel Group’s lobbying revenue has steadily climbed since its founding in 2018. In the first quarter of 2021, the firm brought in more than $1 million in lobbying revenue from 37 clients, including government contractors CoreCivic, Vectrus and Combat Medical Systems, according to OpenSecrets.org.

Vogel was previously chief counsel to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and general counsel to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He was a longtime lobbyist at K Street powerhouse Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas before departing in 2014.

The Keelen Group’s top clients include casino giant Las Vegas Sands and several labor unions. The firm took in $330,000 in lobbying revenue through the first three months of the year.

Keelen is a longtime lobbyist and Republican fundraiser who previously held consulting roles at top GOP political committees.

“The broad expertise of The Vogel Group team will allow us to further help clients navigate regulatory, legislative, and business challenges at the international, federal, and state/local level.” Keelen said in a statement.

The Keelen Group’s Stephen Borg, former deputy chief of staff to former Rep. Timothy Johnson (R-Ill.), is also joining The Vogel Group.