LOBBYISTS have found a new way to gain special leverage with those who make state laws: Become elected officials within the state's Democratic Party. Now three high-paid advocates have instant entree to Democratic senators and delegates. They are not only lobbyists, but politicians, too.
Gary R. Alexander, Joel D. Rozner and John P. McDonough, all well-connected lobbyists, ran for and won seats on the Prince George's County Democratic State Central Committee. They did at the behest of powerful state senators. That puts them in good stead when it comes time to promote bills from their clients before these very same senators.
It is a classic case of blending two professions that must remain separate and apart. That is why the legislature -- under strong public pressure -- outlawed the practice of lobbyists serving as fund-raisers for candidates.