Two communications consultants hired by Republican Mike Rogers's Michigan Senate campaign are actively registered lobbyists for Israel, according to foreign agent registration filings reported by the Washington Examiner. Abigail Ronson, who goes by Abby, and Jesse Stokes, both staffers at the firm Convergence Media, have been providing communications work for the government of Israel while simultaneously working for the Rogers campaign, the paper reported.
The filings, cited by the Washington Examiner, describe the two consultants as providing “strategic communications, planning, and media services” for the government of Israel.
The paper published the names of the two consultants and their employer; it did not report any response from the Rogers campaign, Convergence Media, Ronson or Stokes to the arrangement it described.
Rogers is a Republican and the campaign's candidate, as reported in the paper's coverage of the race.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The report ties staff on a sitting Senate campaign to registered foreign-agent work, a disclosure category that carries legal obligations separate from ordinary campaign employment.
- Michigan's Senate race is being watched nationally, and the staffing details give opponents and voters a concrete line of attack as the midterm campaign runs.
- The filings concern two individual consultants and one client; whether the campaign changes any arrangements is not reported.
Background
Foreign agent registration filings are the public disclosures required of people who lobby or provide services on behalf of foreign governments and political entities, administered by the US Justice Department. Campaigns routinely hire outside communications firms, and staff at those firms can hold other clients at the same time. Mike Rogers is a Republican former Michigan congressman now running for the Senate; the Washington Examiner report places the consultants' work for the Israeli government alongside their campaign work.
What to Watch
- Whether the Rogers campaign, Convergence Media or the two consultants respond publicly to the report.
- Whether the filings described are updated, amended or ended as the campaign continues.
- How Rogers's rivals in the Michigan Senate race use the report in advertising and debates.
Checked
8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTwo Mike Rogers campaign consultants are registered lobbyists for Israel, according to filings.Washington Examiner: “Two communications consultants hired by Republican Mike Rogers ’s Michigan Senate campaign are actively registered lobbyists for Israel , foreign agent registration filings show.”
- SupportedThe Washington Examiner reports that two Convergence Media staffers working for the Rogers campaign provide communications services for the Israeli government.Washington Examiner: “Convergence Media staffers Abigail “Abby” Ronson and Jesse Stokes have been providing “strategic communications, planning, and media services” for the government of Israel while simultaneously working for the Rogers campaign.”
- SupportedAbigail Ronson, who goes by Abby, and Jesse Stokes are Convergence Media staffers.Washington Examiner: “Convergence Media staffers Abigail “Abby” Ronson and Jesse Stokes”
- SupportedRonson and Stokes have been providing services for the government of Israel while simultaneously working for the Rogers campaign.Washington Examiner: “have been providing “strategic communications, planning, and media services” for the government of Israel while simultaneously working for the Rogers campaign.”
- SupportedThe filings describe the services as “strategic communications, planning, and media services.”Washington Examiner: “have been providing “strategic communications, planning, and media services” for the government of Israel”
- SupportedThe Washington Examiner published the consultants’ names and their employer.Washington Examiner: “Convergence Media staffers Abigail “Abby” Ronson and Jesse Stokes”
- Not in the sourcesThe Washington Examiner did not report a response from the campaign, Convergence Media, Ronson or Stokes.
- SupportedRogers is a Republican and the campaign is his Michigan Senate campaign.Washington Examiner: “Republican Mike Rogers ’s Michigan Senate campaign”