# John Colyandro | Best in Government Affairs TX 2026 > John Colyandro of Colyandro Public Affairs is a 2026 Best in Government Affairs Texas honoree, recognized as Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year. Canonical: https://www.uslege.ai/best-in-government-affairs/texas/2026/john-colyandro --- [Best in Government Affairs](/best-in-government-affairs)› [Texas](/best-in-government-affairs/texas)› [2026](/best-in-government-affairs/texas#honorees)› [Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year](/best-in-government-affairs/texas/best-lobbyists)› **John Colyandro** USLege · Best in Government Affairs · Texas Texas · 2026 Honoree ![John Colyandro, Principal / Founder at Colyandro Public Affairs. Winner, Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year, 2026 Best in Government Affairs Texas](/assets/awards/tx-2026/john-colyandro.jpg) Category [Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year](/best-in-government-affairs/texas/best-lobbyists) Organization [Colyandro Public Affairs](/best-in-government-affairs/texas/firms#colyandro-public-affairs) Title Principal / Founder [View LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-colyandro-87341518a/) [Visit Colyandro Public Affairs](https://colyandropublicaffairs.com/) [01 · Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year](/best-in-government-affairs/texas/best-lobbyists) # John Colyandro **Principal / Founder**, Colyandro Public Affairs John Colyandro, Principal / Founder at Colyandro Public Affairs, is a 2026 Best in Government Affairs Texas honoree in the Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year category. The awards are peer-nominated. John Colyandro is a strategist, bridge builder, and trusted voice in Texas government affairs. As Principal of Colyandro Public Affairs, he leads one of the state’s most respected advocacy firms. Combining strategic communications, coalition building, and policy expertise to deliver meaningful results for clients across Texas. > “John exemplifies the rare combination of strategic skill, humility, and relentless dedication to outcomes that matter - especially for children, families, and communities,” one nominator wrote. “He’s respected by legislators on both sides of the aisle and fights for his clients’ goals with persistence, professionalism, and care.” John’s career spans senior leadership roles in state government and policy development. He served as Senior Advisor and Policy Director for Governor Greg Abbott, who described him as his policy “architect”, instrumental in the passage of House Bill 3 (2019), the landmark school finance reform that reshaped public education funding in Texas. He also led major efforts behind the Parent-Directed Special Education Services Program and Education Savings Account legislation, helping expand opportunities for families statewide. Before joining the Governor’s Office, John spent over a decade as Executive Director of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, where he advanced pragmatic, solutions-driven policy reforms and built a strong record of legislative collaboration. Clients and colleagues alike describe John as the quiet hand behind major victories. Someone who builds coalitions, finds common ground, and treats every project as an opportunity to serve the greater good. As one of this year’s Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year, John Colyandro represents the strategic insight, credibility, and purpose that define the best in Texas government affairs. 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