In 2026, state politics will be a tug-of-war between 23 Republican and 16 Democratic trifectas, featuring new Democratic power in Virginia and New Jersey and weakened GOP control in several other states.
Read more about the top 10 state legislative trends in 2026 from BGR Group’s State and Local Advocacy Team below.
With more than half of the state legislatures finishing their 2025 sessions states are adjusting budget outlooks due to changes to federal funding streams while driving transformative policies in education, health care, technology, infrastructure, and energy. State actions are increasingly setting precedents that are shaping the national policy landscape. In this Mid-Year Wrap, the bipartisan BGR State and Local Advocacy team provides a mid-year snapshot of the major bills that have crossed the finish line so far.
In the latest State Policy Brief, BGR Group State and Local Practice Heads William Crozer and Loren Monroe examine the Top 5 State Impacts from President Trump’s First 100 Days and the policy battles that lie ahead.
In our 2024 State and Local Election Recap, BGR’s State & Local team analyzes key results from races across the country. From shifts in legislative bodies to ballot measures with the potential to reshape local policy, our recap highlights what’s ahead for state and local governments.
Over 186 million Americans are eligible to vote for the 47th president of the United States on November 5th. However, the presidential race is just one of many key contests on the ballot that day. Eleven governors, nine lieutenant governors, ten attorneys general, over 100 state executive officials, more than 5,000 state legislators, 41 mayors, and key referendums are also on the ballot.
The BGR Group State & Local team breaks down these policy-shifting races in the latest State & Local report.
William Crozer explores how a second Trump term could reshape the dynamic between federal and state governments, empowering states to pursue their own priorities.
BGR Group State and Local Practice Co-Head and Principal William Crozer offers insight and analysis on a potential second Trump Administration, its impact on state and local policies, and the role of state and local officials and potential key influencers.
Atlanta, GA, (January 25, 2024) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, today announced the opening of an office in Atlanta, Georgia. Building off the firm’s successful expansion in Austin, Texas in 2018, the Atlanta office will provide strategic representation and advocacy for clients in various industries at the local, state and national levels. The new office will physically expand the firm’s presence in the Southeast and enable the delivery of effective and innovative advocacy solutions to clients before state and local officials across the region and country.
BGR will be represented in Georgia by Thomasville, Georgia native William Crozer, a firm Principal and Co-Head of the firm’s bipartisan State and Local Advocacy Practice, and metro-Atlanta native Labriah Lee Holt, a Vice President and the newly named Managing Director of the Atlanta office. With the support of the entire firm’s bipartisan lobbying team, William and Labriah will focus on representing Georgia-based clients in Washington, D.C., as well as growing the firm’s bipartisan work in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, and throughout the Southeastern region.
Georgia is consistently ranked as a top state for business, and Atlanta has the nation’s third-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies. “BGR ‘s history is rooted in the southeast and Atlanta is the epicenter for business and politics in the booming region. The best policies come from state and local decision-makers, and Georgia has some of the best public servants in the nation today,” former Governor and BGR Founder Haley Barbour said. “Having William and Labriah based in Atlanta will enable the firm to effectively service our clients with deep issue expertise and critical relationships and help drive synergies between the state and Washington.”
Before rejoining BGR in 2021, William served as a Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) beginning in 2018. IGA serves as the primary liaison between the White House and the more than 500,000 state, local, territorial, and tribal leaders from the 50 States, 5 major Territories, and the District of Columbia. He previously served in the Counsel’s Office for then-Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. Labriah most recently served as State Government Affairs Director for Microsoft, based in Atlanta, where she led engagement across the southeast region with state and local officeholders to advance policy. Before joining Microsoft, Labriah worked with federal, state, and local leaders throughout the country on some of the most pressing foreign policy issues as AIPAC’s National Director of Outreach. Labriah started her career as an Intellectual Property Attorney at Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta. Labriah currently serves on the Business Council for the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and is a Board Member of the CareerRise, a workforce intermediary in Atlanta.
William Crozer commented, “With world class infrastructure, a competitive economic development and tax environment, a dedicated workforce, and a leading education system, businesses from around the world are thriving in Georgia’s economy. While remaining focused on BGR’s national and regional engagement, I am excited to provide a more concentrated level of support for clients with the state’s bipartisan Congressional delegation, the Governor, and other state and local officials. Having a full-time presence in Georgia will help BGR position our clients to be part of Georgia’s continued success.”
Labriah Lee Holt offered, “I am honored to open a new BGR office in the city that helped raise me and that has remained at the forefront of economic development and innovation in the Southeast. Atlanta is not only a great place to do business, but also a vibrant hub of culture, creativity, and diversity. Atlantans know this vital culture influences everything from business, film production, sports teams, cutting edge technology, to the music industry. I have extensive experience working with governors, attorneys general, mayors across the region, and I look forward to helping our clients navigate the opportunities and challenges they face. I joined BGR to help its state and local team continue to expand, and I’m thrilled Atlanta will anchor the firm’s growth in the Southeast.”
BGR’s Atlanta office will be located at One Buckhead Plaza, 3060 Peachtree Road, Suite 1880, Atlanta, GA 30305.
About BGR Group
Founded in 1991, BGR Group is a premier government affairs and public relations firm with offices in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, London and now Atlanta, Georgia. BGR specializes in three key areas: bipartisan government affairs, strategic communications, and business advisory services. BGR brings together some of the most accomplished policy experts, public opinion influencers, and issue advocates from across the political spectrum.
BGR Group is proud to announce the promotion of William Crozer to Co-Head of the bipartisan State and Local Advocacy Practice! William is doing outstanding work with mayors and governors across the country! Congratulations William!
In a BGR Deep Dive, BGR State and Local Advocacy Principal William Crozer examines the recent movement in state legislatures across the country.
