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Caught Our Eye

A family that lobbies together, stays together

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on May 18, 2023

Former Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) has more in common with her son than just DNA: They've also become first-time lobbyists together.

Bustos and son Nick Bustos registered as Mercury Public Affairs lobbyists effective May 1, per a new disclosure. The former congresswoman joined Mercury in January as co-chair of the firm's D.C. office and head of Illinois and Midwestern operations. Nick started with Mercury last month after working in the agriculture-equipment-manufacturing industry and is a vice president in the firm's Illinois office.

The mother-son duo is lobbying on behalf of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, per the filing. The former congresswoman served on the House Agriculture Committee and Appropriations Committee until retiring from Congress at the end of last term. Former members are required to wait one year from the time they leave Congress before lobbying the House or Senate, per ethics rules, but are not prohibited from lobbying the executive branch before the one-year mark.