Why It Matters

The City of El Paso, Texas has registered Forward Global US Inc. as its federal lobbying firm, marking a significant expansion of the city's presence in Washington. The lobbying registration was filed on April 5, with the firm officially signing on April 13. The move signals El Paso's intention to directly advocate for municipal interests on Capitol Hill across multiple policy domains.

El Paso's decision to retain a dedicated lobbying firm represents a strategic shift in how the city engages with federal policymaking. By hiring Forward Global, the city gains direct access to federal decision-makers on issues that affect municipal operations and development.

The breadth of the city's lobbying agenda (spanning urban development, trade, transportation infrastructure, homeland security, and government issues) suggests El Paso is positioning itself to influence federal funding, regulatory frameworks, and cross-border policy that directly impact the Texas border city's economy and growth trajectory.

This is El Paso's entry into formal federal lobbying representation, indicating the city previously handled such advocacy through other channels or chose not to maintain a dedicated federal presence. The engagement with a multi-person lobbying team signals a serious commitment to sustained federal engagement rather than ad hoc advocacy efforts.

By the Numbers

Forward Global has deployed a five-person lobbying team to represent El Paso. The team includes Noe Garcia III, a Managing Partner; Ted Anderson, a Principal; Micha Wallesen, an Associate Director; Chandra Desai, an Associate; and Ava Cofiell, a Government Relations Associate. All five registered lobbyists maintain an active status on the engagement.

The lobbying team structure reflects a hierarchical approach, with senior-level principals overseeing the account and associate-level staff handling day-to-day advocacy and research. Garcia and Anderson serve as primary contacts. The composition of the team (spanning multiple seniority levels from managing partner to associate) suggests the firm is allocating substantial resources to the El Paso account.

The Agenda

Forward Global is lobbying on behalf of El Paso across five distinct policy areas. The city's lobbying registration lists Urban Development/Municipalities, Trade (Domestic & Foreign), Roads/Highway, Homeland Security, and Government Issues as the primary focus areas. These categories encompass a wide range of potential federal priorities, from infrastructure investment and border trade policy to security funding and municipal governance matters.

Broader Context

El Paso sits at a critical juncture geographically and economically. As one of the largest U.S.-Mexico border cities, El Paso's interests intersect with federal priorities around trade, immigration enforcement, infrastructure, and regional development. The city's decision to formalize its federal lobbying presence comes amid ongoing national debates about border policy, international trade, and federal infrastructure investment.

The city's focus on trade issues reflects the significance of cross-border commerce to El Paso's economy. Border communities face unique federal regulatory and funding environments that differ substantially from inland municipalities. By engaging federal lobbyists, El Paso positions itself to participate in discussions about trade agreements, tariffs, and cross-border economic policy that directly affect local businesses and employment.

The inclusion of roads and highway issues among the lobbying priorities aligns with broader federal infrastructure discussions. El Paso likely seeks to influence federal transportation funding allocation and may advocate for specific projects or programs that address regional connectivity and economic development.

Between The Lines

The timing of El Paso's lobbying registration in early 2026 places the city in the midst of a Congress actively engaged with infrastructure, trade, and border policy discussions. Federal lawmakers regularly address funding mechanisms for municipal infrastructure, border security, and regional economic development. El Paso's formal lobbying presence allows the city to directly participate in these ongoing legislative conversations rather than relying on indirect advocacy through industry associations or state-level channels.

The city's lobbying priorities align with issues that receive regular congressional attention through appropriations bills, authorization legislation, and broader policy debates. Federal funding for infrastructure, border security, and municipal development is a recurring legislative topic that El Paso can now address directly through its registered lobbyists.

Competitive Landscape

Other border communities and major municipalities maintain federal lobbying presences, though specific competitive lobbying activity on identical issues is not detailed in the available information. El Paso's engagement with Forward Global places the city among municipalities that actively invest in federal advocacy rather than relying solely on state representation or industry groups.

The Bottom Line

El Paso has formalized its federal advocacy strategy by registering Forward Global US Inc. as its lobbying firm. The five-person team will focus on urban development, trade, infrastructure, homeland security, and government issues.

The registration represents El Paso's commitment to direct engagement with federal policymakers on issues central to the border city's economic and municipal interests. Whether this translates into measurable federal funding or policy outcomes will depend on the legislative environment and the firm's effectiveness in connecting city priorities with congressional receptiveness.

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