News · Press Release

ICYMI: Health Insurance Lobbyist Lynn Jenkins Pushes for Big Pharma Lobbyist to Run for Congress

“Lynn Jenkins embodies the revolving door between politics and lobbying, so it’s only fitting that she’s already working to put big pharma lobbyist Sara Hart Weir in Congress.”

Pharmaceutical lobbyist Sara Hart Weir has yet to formally announce her campaign for Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, but former Congresswoman and current insurance company lobbyist Lynn Jenkins is pushing for her to run. According to video obtained by the Kansas City Star, Jenkins hosted an event for Weir to hobnob with elite GOP Republicans last weekend as she gears up for a run.

With her lobbying background and decision to hand her campaign over to someone who repeatedly voted to end protections for Kansans with pre-existing conditions, Sara Hart Weir is sending a clear signal that she would work to raise the cost of health care and prescription drugs in Congress.

Kansas City Star: Former Kansas congresswoman ready to guide possible GOP challenger to Sharice Davids

By Bryan Lowry, June 26, 2019

Former Rep. Lynn Jenkins will likely play a major role in the campaign of a potential 2020 GOP challenger to Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids.

Jenkins, a Topeka Republican, hosted an event Sunday for Sara Hart Weir in Prairie Village as the Johnson County Republican gears up to launch a campaign for Kansas’ 3rd congressional district.

…The five-term congresswoman registered her new lobbying and consulting firm last year before she officially wrapped up her final year in the U.S. House, a move that prompted criticism from watchdog groups.

Jenkins lobbied in Topeka for the insurance company Medica during the most recent legislative session. Weir is poised to be the first candidate to work with Jenkins’ firm, LJ Strategies, in a federal election.

The company will serve as Weir’s general campaign consultant if the Mission Republican runs for the seat, said Jared Suhn, another Republican strategist who is advising Weir.

…Davids’ campaign did not comment specifically on Jenkins’ foray into the race, but instead touted the first-term Democrat’s efforts to “improve access to affordable health care and bring down the prescription drugs,” a sign that Davids plans to keep her focus on the issue in the next election.

…The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the national party’s main campaign wing for House races, criticized Jenkins’ involvement in the race and pointed to Weir’s background as a lobbyist for British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline early in her career.

“Lynn Jenkins embodies the revolving door between politics and lobbying, so it’s only fitting that she’s already working to put big pharma lobbyist Sara Hart Weir in Congress,” said DCCC spokeswoman Brooke Goren.

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