WASHINGTON -- Since Democrats grabbed control of Congress in November's elections, lobbyists with ties to the party have been in demand. Ford Motor Co. hired one of them last week.
Bruce Andrews, 38, is Ford's new vice president of government relations, a top lobbyist in the company's Washington office. He also will oversee state legislative activity for Ford.
Andrews is a former legislative director for U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa. Andrews also has worked on Democratic campaigns.
Ziad Ojakli, Ford's group vice president of government and community relations, said the company needs to work with people on both sides of the political aisle. Andrews' ties to the Blue Dog caucus in the House make him "a perfect complement" for Ford's team, Ojakli added.
Ojakli, a Republican, was President Bush's Senate lobbyist before joining Ford.
The Blue Dog group consists of conservative to moderate Democrats.
You may e-mail Harry Stoffer at hstoffer@crain.com
