KPA hires 1861 Consulting for lobbying

The Kansas Press Association has contracted its legislative lobbying services with 1861 Consulting LLC.

“We’re excited to introduce 1861 Consulting to our members,” said Emily Bradbury, KPA executive director. “Of the firms and individuals we considered, we believe 1861 will provide us with the right contacts, lobbying expertise and solid relationships we need to keep public notices right where they are — in our newspapers — and our open government priorities on the front burner at the Kansas Legislature.”

The decision follows 17 years of in-house lobbying by Richard Gannon, former KPA director of governmental affairs, and Doug Anstaett, former KPA executive director, and Bradbury.

Derek Hein, principal and managing partner of 1861 Consulting, has more than a decade of experience in contract lobbying in Kansas, as well as in-house multi-state government affairs.

KPA’s principal contact will be Heather Sprague Scanlon, 1861 Consulting’s director of governmental affairs. She previously worked for House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer and before that was communications director and spokesperson for the Kansas Democratic Party.