USLege · Best in Government Affairs Awards

USLege Awards · 2026

Best in Government Affairs

Recognized in every statehouse.

Every year, USLege recognizes the people who move policy, the lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, communicators, and policy minds, chosen by their peers in statehouses across the country.

See the 2026 Texas winnersFind your state
89Honorees
8Categories
100%Peer-nominated
What this is

The people who move policy, recognized.

Government affairs is the work of shaping public policy: the lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, communicators, and policy experts who turn ideas into law inside America's statehouses. Most of that work happens out of public view. The USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards bring it into the light, honoring the most effective professionals in every state, chosen by the people who work alongside them.

Peer-nominated

Every honoree is chosen through nominations from colleagues across the industry. There is never a cost to nominate or be featured.

Every state

Rolling out across all 50 states. Texas is live now; New York and California are next, with more to follow.

Eight categories

From top hired-gun lobbyists to rising stars, association champions, communicators, and policy leaders.

Rows of engraved crystal Best in Government Affairs awards at the 2025 Texas ceremony
The hardware: peer-nominated crystal, engraved for every honoree, Texas, 2025.
Find a professional

Search every honoree, in every state.

One place to find the standout lobbyists, staff, and policy professionals recognized across the country. Start typing a name, firm, category, or state.

Will McAdamsWill McAdamsPartner · Mike Toomey & AssociatesTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Ryan BrannanRyan BrannanFounder & Principal · The Brannan FirmTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Mark VaneMark VaneOf Counsel · Husch Blackwell StrategiesTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Luis SaenzLuis SaenzPartner · TX Public AffairsTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Larry GonzalesLarry GonzalesFounder & President · Desk 138Top Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Kathy GrantKathy GrantPrincipal · Kathy Grant GroupTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas John ColyandroJohn ColyandroPrincipal / Founder · Colyandro Public AffairsTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Jay PropesJay PropesPartner · Mercury Public AffairsTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Holly DeShieldsHolly DeShieldsSenior Vice President & Director, Texas Government Relations · McGuireWoods Consulting LLCTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Denise RoseDenise RosePartner and Chair, Government Relations & Public Policy · Jackson WalkerTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Craig CasselberryCraig CasselberryFounder and CEO · Quorum Public Affairs, Inc.Top Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Carrie SimmonsCarrie SimmonsLobbyist · Texas Lobby PartnersTop Hired Gun Lobbyists · Texas Sara AllenSara AllenVice President of Administration and PAC Director · Imperium Public AffairsRising Stars · Texas Morghan ArmentaMorghan ArmentaK-12 Education Policy Analyst · Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Budget and PoRising Stars · Texas Michael GearyMichael GearyDirector, Multistate Operations · August Strategy GroupRising Stars · Texas Kate GoodrichKate GoodrichPartner, Public Policy and Law practice · K&L GatesRising Stars · Texas Jenna HarlanJenna HarlanGovernment Relations · Desk 138Rising Stars · Texas Ikenna OkoroIkenna OkoroAttorney & Lobbyist · Okoro LawRising Stars · Texas Eric MacPhersonEric MacPhersonBudget Analyst · Texas Legislative Budget BoardRising Stars · Texas Emily LoveEmily LoveDirector of Legislative Affairs · Cross Oak GroupRising Stars · Texas Drew GrahamDrew GrahamPrincipal / Lobbyist, Graham Public Affairs · Graham Public AffairsRising Stars · Texas Caitriana CorkillCaitriana CorkillVice President · BGR GroupRising Stars · Texas Avery DishawAvery DishawPublic Affairs, Senior Associate · Blakemore & AssociatesRising Stars · Texas Ana Grace HustedAna Grace HustedVice President of Government Affairs · ABC TexasRising Stars · Texas Vince LeibowitzVince LeibowitzLegislative Director & Fiscal Analyst · Office of Texas State Senator Royce WestTop Staffer · Texas Vanessa TannerVanessa TannerChief of Staff · Office of Texas State Rep. Brad BuckleyTop Staffer · Texas Roel Benavides, Jr.Roel Benavides, Jr.Chief of Staff · Office of Texas State Rep. Charles CunninghamTop Staffer · Texas Laura Dally StoweLaura Dally StoweChief of Staff · Office of Texas State Senator Angela PaxtonTop Staffer · Texas Jenna King LewisJenna King LewisGeneral Counsel · Office of Texas State Senator Tan ParkerTop Staffer · Texas Court ManskeCourt ManskeCommittee Director · Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16Top Staffer · Texas Cristina MastersCristina MastersChief of Staff · Office of Texas State Rep. Claudia OrdazTop Staffer · Texas Brady VaughnBrady VaughnChief of Staff · Office of Texas State Senator Charles SchwertnerTop Staffer · Texas Ashley WalterAshley WalterChief of Staff · Office of Texas State Rep. Pat CurryTop Staffer · Texas Andrew ParksAndrew ParksCommittee Director · Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural AfTop Staffer · Texas Jamie DudensingJamie DudensingPresident & CEO · Texas Association of Health PlansAssociation Champion · Texas Trent HightowerTrent HightowerGeneral Counsel & Director of Government Relations · Texas Veterinary Medical AssociationAssociation Champion · Texas Tray BatesTray BatesVice President of Governmental Affairs · Texas REALTORSAssociation Champion · Texas Sandy HoySandy HoyVice President & General Counsel · Texas Apartment AssociationAssociation Champion · Texas Perry FowlerPerry FowlerExecutive Director · Texas Water Infrastructure NetworkAssociation Champion · Texas Megan MauroMegan MauroExecutive Vice President & Chief of Staff, later Interim Preside · Texas Association of BusinessAssociation Champion · Texas Logan HarrellLogan HarrellGeneral Counsel & Director of Regulatory Affairs · Texas Chemistry CouncilAssociation Champion · Texas Kristen LenauKristen LenauPolicy Director · Texas Women's Healthcare CoalitionAssociation Champion · Texas Kimberly Lile-DowtyKimberly Lile-DowtyAssociate Director · Texas Association of Regional CouncilsAssociation Champion · Texas Rebecca Young MontgomeryRebecca Young MontgomeryFounder & CEO · Montgomery StrategiesFemale Powerhouse · Texas Nora CoxNora CoxFounder & Chief Executive Officer · Texas e-Health AllianceFemale Powerhouse · Texas Molly SprattMolly SprattPrincipal · HB StrategiesFemale Powerhouse · Texas Michelle WittenburgMichelle WittenburgPresident · Wittenburg & AssociatesFemale Powerhouse · Texas Mary TippsMary TippsExecutive Director · Texans for Lawsuit ReformFemale Powerhouse · Texas Marti Johnson LuparelloMarti Johnson LuparelloFounder & Principal · Ocotillo Public AffairsFemale Powerhouse · Texas Marsha JonesMarsha JonesConsultant · HillCo PartnersFemale Powerhouse · Texas Lisa KaufmanLisa KaufmanFounding Partner · Davis KaufmanFemale Powerhouse · Texas Leah ClarkLeah ClarkIntergovernmental Relations Manager · City of Georgetown, TexasFemale Powerhouse · Texas Jenn SaenzJenn SaenzPrincipal · Phenix & SaenzFemale Powerhouse · Texas Denise DavisDenise DavisFounding Partner · Davis KaufmanFemale Powerhouse · Texas Amy RisterAmy RisterCommittee Director · Texas House Committee on Intergovernmental AffairsFemale Powerhouse · Texas Thomas GrahamThomas GrahamFounder & CEO · Crosswind Media & Public RelationsStrategic Communicator · Texas Vance GinnVance GinnPresident · Ginn Economic ConsultingStrategic Communicator · Texas Travis McCormickTravis McCormickPrincipal, McCormick Strategies · McCormick StrategiesStrategic Communicator · Texas Shannon MeroneyShannon MeroneyPresident · Meroney Public AffairsStrategic Communicator · Texas Myra LeoMyra LeoPrincipal · HB StrategiesStrategic Communicator · Texas Merrill DavisMerrill DavisVice President of Communications · Texas 2036Strategic Communicator · Texas Mason ReidMason ReidFounder & CEO · Blue Victory CommunicationsStrategic Communicator · Texas Katherine McLaneKatherine McLaneFounder & CEO · The Mach 1 GroupStrategic Communicator · Texas Julia DvorakJulia DvorakCommunications Director / Press Contact · Texas Senate Republican CaucusStrategic Communicator · Texas Brittany EckBrittany EckCommunications Director for Disaster Recovery · Texas General Land OfficeStrategic Communicator · Texas Allen BlakemoreAllen BlakemoreFounder/Principal · Blakemore & AssociatesStrategic Communicator · Texas Rusty KelleyRusty KelleyOwner · BlackridgeLobby Legends · Texas Robert MillerRobert MillerPartner; Chair of the Firm's Texas Public Law Section · Troutman Pepper LockeLobby Legends · Texas Mike ToomeyMike ToomeyFounder · Mike Toomey & AssociatesLobby Legends · Texas Mignon McGarryMignon McGarryFounder & Principal · Mignon McGarry & AssociatesLobby Legends · Texas Kent HanceKent HanceThe Honorable Kent R. Hance · Hance ScarboroughLobby Legends · Texas John R. Pitts, Sr.John R. Pitts, Sr.Founder & Chair · Texas Star AllianceLobby Legends · Texas Jay HowardJay HowardManaging Partner · HillCo PartnersLobby Legends · Texas Jack ErskineJack ErskineManaging Partner, Austin Office · Self-employedLobby Legends · Texas Gavin MassingillGavin MassingillManaging Partner / General Partner · Carriage House PartnersLobby Legends · Texas Buddy JonesBuddy JonesSenior Partner & Co-Founder · HillCo PartnersLobby Legends · Texas Brad ShieldsBrad ShieldsFounder & Principal · Texas Legislative AssociatesLobby Legends · Texas Matthew ConnerMatthew ConnerManaging Principal · Arete Public AffairsPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Michelle WattsMichelle WattsBudget and Policy Advisor · Office of the Texas Governor, Greg AbbottPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Matt RuszczakMatt RuszczakExternal Affairs Manager · Texas Division of Emergency ManagementPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Louie SanchezLouie SanchezLegislative Consultant · Hance ScarboroughPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Kyle MauroKyle MauroPartner, Health Care Practice · HillCo PartnersPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Juliana PeceliJuliana PeceliCommunications Director / Policy Analyst · Office of Texas State Rep. David CookPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas J.R. BloomJ.R. BloomDirector of Government Relations · Las Vegas Sands Corp.Policy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Jordan WatJordan WatDirector of Government Affairs · Texas 2036Policy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Christina GonzalezChristina GonzalezManager, Government Affairs · CenterPoint EnergyPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Ben WrightBen WrightDirector of Public Affairs · Texas Medical AssociationPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Andrew BrownAndrew BrownVice President of Policy · Texas Public Policy FoundationPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas Addison ReaganAddison ReaganDeputy Director, Government Affairs · Teacher Retirement System of TexasPolicy Intelligence Leaders · Texas
Inaugural Awards

The first United States honorees are coming soon.

The inaugural United States Best in Government Affairs Awards launch soon. Nominations open at a later date, and there is never a cost to nominate or be featured.

Notify me when nominations open
The Categories

Eight ways to be the best in the building.

The USLege 2026 Best in Government Affairs Awards highlight standout professionals in lobbying, public affairs, and policy strategy, chosen through peer nominations. Whether they're running point at the Capitol, leading an association, or emerging as a rising star, these are the people making an impact. There is no cost to nominate or be featured.

Top Hired Gun Lobbyists

Contract lobbyists

Rising Stars

Emerging talent

Top Staffer

Legislative staff

Association Champion

Association leaders

Female Powerhouse

Women who lead

Strategic Communicator

Message-makers

Lobby Legends

Veteran advocates

Policy Intelligence Leaders

Policy minds

Find your state

The awards are rolling out across all 50 states. Texas is live now; New York and California are next, presented with Capitol Confidential Pro.
Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege
50 States
CaliforniaNew YorkTexasAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
The Celebration

Straight from the event.

In April 2026 we honored the Texas winners at a sold-out celebration in Austin. Hear it from the honorees themselves.

The Honor

What every winner receives.

A feature profile on the 2026 Best in Government Affairs webpage

A custom award badge and digital toolkit to share the win

Exclusive promotion to the USLege network of 12,000+ policy professionals and media partners

Notification as part of a public recognition campaign, with selections based on the strength and volume of nominations

Nominations closed

The 2026 honorees are in.

Nominations for the 2026 awards are now closed. The 2027 USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards, including nominations, will open at a later date. There is never a cost to nominate or be featured.

Notify me about 2027
Questions

About the awards.

What are the USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards?

An annual, peer-nominated recognition of the most effective professionals in government affairs, including contract lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, strategic communicators, and policy experts. The program is rolling out across all 50 states.

Which states are live?

Texas is live now with its full slate of honorees. New York and California are next, presented in partnership with Capitol Confidential Pro. Additional states are coming soon.

Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege

How are winners selected?

Winners are chosen entirely through peer nominations. Final selections are based on the strength and volume of nominations received. There is no cost to nominate or to be featured.

What categories are recognized?

Eight categories: Top Hired Gun Lobbyists, Rising Stars, Top Staffer, Association Champion, Female Powerhouse, Strategic Communicator, Lobby Legends, Policy Intelligence Leaders.

How can our state or organization get involved?

USLege is expanding the awards nationwide. Book a demo to bring the Best in Government Affairs Awards to your state or to learn about partnership and sponsorship.

Stay In The Loop

Get notified.

Leave your details and we will let teams know as new states open for nominations.

Every State

Explore other states.

The USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards are rolling out across all 50 states. Find yours below.