GOP lobbyist tapped for White House legislative affairs

Republican lobbyist Chris Cox is expected to join the White House as deputy assistant to President Trump for legislative affairs, Politico first reported.

He would replace Ben Howard, who left to be a lobbyist. A source familiar with the pick told The Hill that Cox hasn’t formally started in the role.

Cox is a founding principal at Navigators Global and was previously a special assistant for legislative affairs for former President George W. Bush. 

Cox’s clients at Navigators include Delta, Berkshire Hathaway, Intuit, Johnson & Johnson and the United Parcel Service. He is not the Chris Cox who is a former top lobbyist at the National Rifle Association.

Prior to working for Bush, Cox was chief of staff to former Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Robin Hayes (R-N.C.). He also was legislative director to former Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). 

Howard served in the role from December 2018 to February 2020. He is now a vice president at the lobbying firm Duberstein Group.