Written by Jessica Beeson Tocco
In 2011, I established A10 Associates to create a bipartisan, policy-driven organization that educates and trains the next generation of female political leaders.
We initially focused only on transportation, technology, and infrastructure to achieve our vision. These are vital industries that support American jobs, regardless of political party, race, gender, or religious affiliation. Every American deserves and strives for the ability to support their family, have a clean environment, and utilize technology to improve their lives.
A Change in Politics
From 1998 to 2008, most Americans were divided almost evenly between Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. However, politics have become increasingly quarrelsome with the rise of social media, the 24-hour news cycle, and the sunset of federal earmarks (which we will address later). Today, 43% of Americans are registered independents, and Democrats and Republicans continue to lose voters. According to the Pew Research Center, the increase in independent voters continues to trend with elderly voters aging out, driven by Americans 50 years and younger.
Although, according to Gallup, 71% of Independents identify somewhat with either Republicans or Democrats, this statistic shows us that the far right and far left of each party are alienating average Americans who would otherwise affiliate.
As a result, companies and organizations seeking to capture their respective markets must remain bipartisan to succeed. Policy initiatives and social movements are no longer successful when they are too politicized. As business and political leaders, we must strive for policies that benefit all Americans, not just a specific population sector.
The Scope of Lobbyists in America
When I began lobbying in 2007, when most lobbying firms were either predominantly Republican or Democrat, the number of federally registered lobbyists was at an all-time high: 14,217. The industry was valued at $3.5 billion, and K Street was at the heart of federal policy decisions.
Suddenly, in 2011, earmarks, now known as Congressionally Direct Spending, were banned in an effort to reduce government spending. That year, the number of registered lobbyists and investment in the industry began declining. Today, there are still two thousand fewer federal lobbyists than existed before 2011, but there are 2,500 more state and local lobbyists nationwide. The industry is now valued at $4.11 billion nationally because businesses have had to adjust to capture funding and influence policy at the state and local levels.
Since 2021, the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have unleashed billions for state and local government programs, strengthening the nation’s evolving model of federal investment through grant and loan programs. Despite the ongoing political debate about government spending, red, blue, and purple states have all taken advantage of these federally funded programs. Last year, the five states that brought in the most jobs with economic development funding at all levels created quite a list of political differences, as they are – respectively – California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
Our Commitment to Bipartisanship and America
When we first endeavored to create a bipartisan firm, we raised many eyebrows. People legitimately asked how an Indiana girl who worked for the Bush, Pence, Rove, and Daniels families could also work with Democrats. The answer was simple: I started focusing on people and policies we believed in—not parties or politics. A10 determined that we could find something in common with everyone, no matter their party, gender, background, or race.
Over the past ten years, we have authentically achieved our vision by participating in and supporting the First Ladies Lunch for Jill Biden, the Democratic Women for Governor’s Political Action Committee (PAC) by Maura Healey, and the SPIKE PAC by Lori Trahan – while also supporting and participating in Nicole Malliotakis’s efforts nationwide, Marsha Blackburn’s PAC, and Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch’s kitchen cabinet. We will continue to support strong female leaders that we believe in – championing issues that matter to all Americans.
And, by the way, another empowerment blog for female leaders is coming soon, but enough about “women’s issues.” Have you ever heard someone talk about “men’s issues?” No. Because the current culture believes that all issues are “men’s issues.” But why do women only get to care about abortion, reproductive rights, education, and health care as “women’s issues?” We believe all issues are women’s issues, including job creation, economy, security, national defense, and even taxes. News flash! Women pay taxes, too, friends!!
Every day, A10 is here to exemplify our vision of bipartisan issues impacting all Americans. Through our commitment to these issues, our clients have created over 1,500 jobs in Indiana alone over the past eight years and continue to create jobs in Maryland, Texas, Arizona, and Florida. We are here to show that, regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, our commitment to bi-partisan issues that impact all Americans will thrive because we are betting on the American people – not on a political party.
Growing our Bipartisan Team
We have named Kate Countryman, President of A10 Associates, to further our commitment to bipartisanship. Today is her first day! Kate and I worked together at Rasky Partners in Washington DC over a decade ago, where, as a Republican and a Democrat, we crossed our personal political divides to service clients in public affairs. Kate went on from Rasky to serve on Capitol Hill for Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). She has lived and worked across the United States, recently serving as the Head of Communications and Public Affairs for a housing and economic justice non-profit in Colorado. Kate exemplifies bipartisanship and understands the impact of government policies and funding on business growth.
Moreover, Kate shares our vision for an organization transcending lobbying to empower the next generation of mothers, daughters, sisters, and spouses to become political leaders. We created this firm to prove that women can succeed in the political process, mentor each other, empower each other, and still be committed to their families.
We want to create a workforce of strong women who have a seat at the table when shaping public policy for the American people, leaving a legacy for our children by finding commonalities with others and celebrating our political differences.
Kate and I are honored to represent this incredible team of young women and an impressive book of American job creators as our clients. We invite everyone reading this blog today to join our vision as a client, investor, or potential employee. If you see this today and want to be part of our vision for empowering the next generation of bipartisan political leaders and policies, we hope you’ll reach out and get involved with our team!
