Lobbyist Leonard Continues to Lobby Even While Running for Governor

Leonard’s continued lobbying raises ethical questions as he runs for governor

LANSING - Tom Leonard, the former Republican Speaker of the Michigan House who ran and lost for Attorney General in 2018 and then cashed in as a lobbyist after leaving office, is now running for governor while continuing to remain a registered lobbyist. 

Lobbyist Leonard recently told Gongwer that it would be “disingenuous” of him to terminate his lobbying registration now - and he’s “going to continue” lobbying even while running for governor.

Leonard may be lobbying on behalf of his paid clients, but it’s clear he’s not standing up for hard-working Michiganders. When asked if he supports Donald Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, all to fund tax cuts for billionaires, Leonard responded, “Yes, I support that. 100%.” 

“Tom Leonard cashed in as a lobbyist for special interests after leaving office - and now he just can’t stop cashing those big checks even as he campaigns for governor,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Derrick Honeyman. “Leonard’s continued lobbying is a glaring conflict of interest, and it raises ethical questions on whether his campaign for governor is just a means to line his pockets even more?”