Former Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer joins DC lobbying firm

Former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has joined the lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs, where she will reportedly consult clients on local issues, the firm confirmed to The Hill.

Boxer, who joined the firm after being recruited by other former top California Democrats now working at Mercury, will not register as a lobbyist herself but will consult on numerous issues including municipal government, transportation and infrastructure, Politico first reported.

“I started off in local government,” Boxer told Politico. “I know how important it is for local governments to get the resources they need.”

Her addition to the lobbying firm comes following criticism aimed at the former senator by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) last year after Boxer worked as an adviser for the ride-hailing firm Lyft.

“Fmr officials should not become corporate lobbyists, in letter or spirit. It’s an abuse of power + a stain on public service,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted about news of Boxer’s job.

“I don’t care if it’s a Democrat doing it (both parties do). In fact, that makes it worse – we’re supposed to fight FOR working people, not against them,” she added.

Boxer responded to the criticism in comments to Politico, questioning: “How do you abuse power when you’re out of power?”

The longtime California senator retired in 2017 after declining to stand for reelection in November of 2016. She previously served as a U.S. House member.

Updated at 2:24 p.m.