Here is an expanded version of the second item from my “Albany Insider” column from Monday’s editions:
A prominent lobbying firm co-founded by the father of the creator of the smash Broadway hit “Hamilton” is hoping some of that success rubs off on a new campaign consulting arm named after the show.
MirRam Group, which was co-founded by Luis Miranda, earlier this year quietly created The Hamilton Campaign Network as a sister company to consult on state and city campaigns.
The use of the name Hamilton is not a coincidence. Miranda is the father of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the lyrics, music and book of the Broadway show.
“(The) name is topical with all of the renewed political interest on Hamilton as a historical figure” said MirRam spokesman Javier Gomez.
The idea to separate out the lobbying and communications work of MirRam from the campaign work now done by Hamilton comes at a time when how Albany operates has come under increasing criticism and investigations.
While Luis Miranda will be involved with both companies, Hamilton Campaign Network’s president is John Emrick, the former chief of staff of Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein.
So far, the new company’s clients include the Senate IDC and several state and New York City city candidates. The company, which has separate offices from MirRam, is helping the Senate IDC in its support of Marisol Alcantara, who is running in a four-way primary for an upper Manhattan Senate seat.
“When I left public service earlier this year, Hamilton was a natural fit,” Emrick said.
He added that “if we can duplicate (the success of the Broadway show) in even a fractional amount we’d be very happy.”
So far, the new company’s clients include the Senate IDC and several state and New York City city candidates. The company, which has separate offices from MirRam, is helping the Senate IDC in its support of Marisol Alcantara, who is running in a four-way primary for an upper Manhattan Senate seat.
The Hamilton Campaign Network also is consulting for IDC members Tony Avella (D-Queens) and David Carlucci (D-Rockland County) as well as clients on the city level and some Assembly members.
By separating out the political consulting work from the lobbying, it makes it easier for Emrick, who has a two-year ban from lobbying the Legislature.