Ballard Partners Taps Ex-Newsom Aide to Run New AI Lobbying Unit

Ballard Partners, the biggest lobbying firm in Washington during Trump 2.0, is launching an emerging technology and artificial intelligence practice and adding Amy Tong, a former aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), to lead it.

Tong, who was secretary of Government Operations and senior counselor to Newsom, will join the firm as a partner, Ballard Partners said in a news release Monday. She will be based in the firm’s Sacramento office.

Anthropic PBC is among Ballard Partners’ clients, according to recent federal lobbying disclosures.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Amy to our powerhouse California team and to launch ...