612.718.3504
2200 IDS Center, 80 S. 8th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 
Subjects: All Subjects, Business/Commerce, Education, Finance/Banking, Food/Restaurants, Health Care, Housing/Real Estate/Development/Construction, Insurance, Manufacturing, Medicare/Medicaid, Non-Profit, Pharmaceuticals, Privacy/Internet, Retail, RFP/Procurement, Taxes, Telecommunications, Tourism/Hospitality
I am an experienced Minnesota lobbyist. I can take a client's goals, develop them into legislation, work through the legislative process and finalize a solution. I rely on my extensive experience and diverse relationships at the Capitol to get the job done for my clients.
20+ years
Served as President of the Minnesota Government Relations Council ("MGRC"). MGRC is the trade association for registered lobbyists in Minnesota.
Was featured on the local PBS station for a segment of "Lobbyists Unmasked."
Annual speaker at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs legislative panel.
Sonnie brings decades of experience working with clients, lawmakers, elected officials, and key staff at the local, state, and federal levels. She develops creative government solutions for clients to meet their goals and ambitions.
Sonnie is a board member and past president of the Minnesota Government Relations Council, a professional trade association of 500 lobbyists. She is a founding member of the National League of Women Lobbyist, an association made up of one female lobbyist per state. In 2021, Attorney at Law magazine referred to Sonnie as a "major player" in Minnesota's lobbying community.
Prior to joining Taft Advisors, Sonnie was a principal at a national law and consulting firm. She previously served as deputy director for Cabinet Affairs in the office of Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, where she advised the governor on legislative issues and lobbied legislators on behalf of the Carlson administration. Sonnie has also worked at the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives.
612-280-2249
525 Park St Ste 130, St Paul, MN, 55103, 
For over 40 years, the Messerli & Kramer Government Relations team has shown integrity, unmatched service and a respected presence before the Minnesota Legislature, executive and regulatory agencies and local units of government. Every day we put that experience and knowledge to work to best serve our clients. Our lobbyists have been called upon to develop and pass into law some of the most complex and high profile legislation ever enacted in Minnesota. Just a few examples include:
Messerli & Kramer has a respected reputation for bipartisan lobbying activities that never take a legislator's vote for granted. Our real success is reflected by the fact that most of our clients were referred to us by legislators, other lobbyists who know the quality of our work and clients who have experienced the value of having our representation at the Capitol.
Coordination of statewide lobbying efforts to pass Minnesota's "Marriage Equality Act."
Bonding legislation for Target Field - a 42,000-seat, open air, natural grass ballpark, home of the Minnesota Twins.
Extensive involvement in bonding legislation to develop and expand metro transit and light rail.
Lobbying to support passage of mandatory seatbelt laws.
Representation of Minnesota law enforcement and first responders.
Firm Specialties:
Government Relations services at Messerli & Kramer fall largely under four key areas:
Legislative Lobbying - helping clients navigate due process and gain access to key decision makers to advocate for their interests.
Procurement - enhancing the ability for Minnesota companies and organizations to win contracts with state government entities.
Economic Development - supporting efforts to improve the quality of life and business and job growth in Minnesota communities.
Municipal Representation - assisting clients with protocols before units of government to obtain approvals, permits, waivers and other assistance.
In addition, our team represents clients in administrative law and grassroots advocacy. In the political arena, we have advised candidates and consulted on elections, and supported the Governor's office and state agencies. We offer legal and strategic advice for regulatory and administrative bodies, and management of strategic and crisis communications.
651-829-0888
2200 IDS Center, 80 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 
Subjects: All Subjects, Animals/Agriculture, Appropriations/Budgets, Business/Commerce, Cannabis/Drug Legalization, Children/Family/Women, City/County Government, Civil Rights, Consumer Protection, Health Care, Housing/Real Estate/Development/Construction, Labor/Unions, Medicare/Medicaid, Non-Profit, Privacy/Internet, Professional/Vocational Licensing
Zack is a Public Policy Advocate working in the Minnesota State Capitol. Working toward the vision of a better Minnesota by advancing the goals of his clients.
6-10 years
Zack serves as Director of Public Affairs in Taft's Minneapolis office, where he advocates on behalf of clients across a broad spectrum of policy areas before the Minnesota State Legislature and executive agencies.
Before joining Taft, Zack held key public policy roles with several leading advocacy organizations. He served as Policy Associate for the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance and as Public Policy Director for the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, where he focused on advancing Health and Human Services legislation at the State Capitol. Most recently, he was the Minnesota State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, where he developed and led a bipartisan legislative agenda encompassing multiple committee jurisdictions.
At Taft, Zack's portfolio includes clients across the Health, Human Services, Commerce, Jobs, Labor, Housing, and Local Government sectors. Known for his strategic approach and bipartisan credibility, Zack is widely regarded as a trusted and effective advocate at the Minnesota Capitol.
calmeida@messerlikramer.com
St Paul, MN, 55103, 6127708578, 
bauer@mnaap.org
Burnsville, MN, 55306, 9524768800, 
will.blauvelt@stinson.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 6123351957, 
2) Care Providers of Minnesota
3) Children's Hospitals and Clinics
5) Dakota County Community Development Agency
8) Friends of Como Zoo & Conservatory
10) HWY35, LLC
11) Koloma, Inc (fomerly Iron Range Exploration)
12) KPMG LLP
13) LifeSource, Inc.
14) MN Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
15) MN Cable Communications Assn
18) MN Insurance & Financial Services Council
20) MN Municipal Power Agency (MMPA)
21) MN Timberwolves Basketball Ltd Partnership
22) North Star Wine & Spirits Distributors Alliance
23) Pawn America Minnesota LLC
24) Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
27) Think Small
28) Ticket King of Minnesota, Inc.
29) Unite Us
30) University of MN Physicians
31) US Steel Corp
32) Way to Grow
erin.buie@stinson.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 6123351727, 
2) Care Providers of Minnesota
3) Children's Hospitals and Clinics
5) Dakota County Community Development Agency
8) Friends of Como Zoo & Conservatory
10) Koloma, Inc (fomerly Iron Range Exploration)
11) LifeSource, Inc.
14) MN Employers Workers Compensation Alliance
15) MN Government Relations Council
16) MN Insurance & Financial Services Council
17) MN Municipal Power Agency (MMPA)
18) MN Timberwolves Basketball Ltd Partnership
19) North Star Wine & Spirits Distributors Alliance
20) Pawn America Minnesota LLC
21) Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
24) Unite Us
25) University of MN Physicians
26) US Steel Corp
marcus.caruso@primetherapeutics.com
Eagan, MN, 55121, 6127772719, 
paul.cassidy@stinson.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 6123351877, 
2) Care Providers of Minnesota
3) Children's Hospitals and Clinics
5) Dakota County Community Development Agency
7) Federated Insurance Companies
9) Friends of Como Zoo & Conservatory
11) HWY35, LLC
12) Koloma, Inc (fomerly Iron Range Exploration)
13) KPMG LLP
14) LifeSource, Inc.
15) MN Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
16) MN Cable Communications Assn
19) MN Insurance & Financial Services Council
21) MN Municipal Power Agency (MMPA)
22) MN Timberwolves Basketball Ltd Partnership
23) North Star Wine & Spirits Distributors Alliance
24) Pawn America Minnesota LLC
25) Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
29) Think Small
30) Ticket King of Minnesota, Inc.
31) Unite Us
32) University of MN Physicians
33) US Steel Corp
34) Way to Grow
orchard1@politicomlaw.com
Sausalito, CA, 94965, 4159032800, 
zack.eichten@taftadvisors.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 6518290888, 
sonnie.elliott@taftadvisors.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 6127183504, 
mma@mnmed.org
Minneapolis, MN, 55413, 6518907466, 
akoch@momentum-advocacy.com
Edina, MN, 55435, 7633008492, 
2) AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MN
4) BITCOIN DEPOT OPERATING, LLC
5) BLOOD CANCER UNITED, INC. (FORMERLY LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)
7) CARVANA
10) CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK
11) EMERGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
14) GREATER MN CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS
15) GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY
16) HMONG AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP
17) HUNTSMAN BUILDING SOLUTIONS
18) INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (IBM)
19) LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
20) LINK, THE
21) MESABI METALLICS COMPANY LLC
25) MN ASSN FOR FAMILY AND EARLY EDUCATION
26) MN ASSN OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
27) MN ASSN OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
28) MN ATHLETIC TRAINERS ASSN (MATA)
29) MN COALITION OF PRIMROSE SCHOOLS
31) MN HOUSING PARTNERSHIP (MHP)
33) MN LICENSED BEVERAGE ASSN, INC. (MLBA)
34) MN MUNICIPAL BEVERAGE ASSN
35) MN NURSES ASSN
36) MN TECH ASSN
37) NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES LLC
38) NORTH COUNTRY FOOD BANK, INC.
39) NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE
40) PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING
41) RS EDEN
45) SUSAN G. KOMEN
bkhalloran@redmondmn.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55454, 6124811292, 
amanda.jansen@childrens.org
Edina, MN, 55436, 2624423628, 
barbjohnsonmpls@gmail.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55421, 6128756461, 
kozak@nsamn.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55421, 6122980888, 
bmcdaniel@momentum-advocacy.com
Edina, MN, 55435, 9522393612, 
2) AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MN
6) BE THE MATCH/NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM
7) BITCOIN DEPOT OPERATING, LLC
8) BLOOD CANCER UNITED, INC. (FORMERLY LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)
10) CARVANA
11) CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ST PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS
14) COLLEGE POSSIBLE
15) COPAL (COMUNIDADES ORGANIZANDO EL PODER Y ACCIÓN LATINA)
18) GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY
19) HUNTSMAN BUILDING SOLUTIONS
20) INTERFAITH ACTION OF GREATER ST. PAUL
21) INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (IBM)
27) MN ASSN FOR FAMILY AND EARLY EDUCATION
28) MN ASSN OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
29) MN ASSN OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
30) MN ATHLETIC TRAINERS ASSN (MATA)
31) MN COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
34) MN LICENSED BEVERAGE ASSN, INC. (MLBA)
35) MN MUNICIPAL BEVERAGE ASSN
36) MN TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
37) NATL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM (NMDP)
38) PACER CENTER
39) PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS COUNCIL
40) PILLSBURY UNITED COMMUNITIES
42) SITUSHAWK
44) SUSAN G. KOMEN
46) WYOMING, CITY OF
Alysen@momentum-advocacy.com
Edina, MN, 55435, 7636390226, 
3) BE THE MATCH/NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM
5) CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ST PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS
7) EMERGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10) GREATER MN CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS
12) GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY
14) HUNTSMAN BUILDING SOLUTIONS
15) INTERFAITH ACTION OF GREATER ST. PAUL
16) INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (IBM)
17) LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
18) LINK, THE
19) MESABI METALLICS COMPANY LLC
24) MN ASSN OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
25) MN COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
27) MN TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
29) NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE
30) PACER CENTER
31) PARENTS IN COMMUNITY ACTION, INC. HEAD START
32) PILLSBURY UNITED COMMUNITIES
33) PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING
34) RS EDEN
37) SUSAN G. KOMEN
39) WYOMING, CITY OF
megan.peterlinz@childrensmn.org
Edina, MN, 55436, 7154105013, 
platto@nsamn,com
Minneapolis, MN, 55421, 6127357181, 
Tom.Poul@PoulHaas.com
St. Paul, MN, 55102, 6512600696, 
1) AFLAC
2) AIG, Inc. (American International Group)
3) American Investment Council
4) APA Medical Equipment Co. LLC
5) Apple, Inc.
6) Auction.com
9) Cambium Learning Group (formerly Lexia Learning)
10) Canterbury Park Holding Corp
11) CoLab (at the Constellation Fund)
13) Corebridge Financial Group
14) DonorsChoose
20) Minnesota Independent Pharmacies (MNIndys)
21) MN Ambulatory Surgery Center Assn
23) MN Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
24) MN Society of Professional Engineers
26) Municipal Legislative Commission
28) PayIt
30) Protecting Quality Healthcare Access
31) RAYUS Radiology
32) Sagent Behavioral Health (formerly Nystrom & Associates Ltd)
33) Samsara
34) Sellers, Dorsey & Associates, LLC
35) SEVEN, Inc.
lredmond@redmondmn.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55454, 6123412666, 
nschmidt@mnmed.org
Minneapolis, MN, 55413, 6123623750, 
mark.schramek@nironmagnetics.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55413, 2029093502, 
ksen@messerlikramer.com
St Paul, MN, 55103, 6515569220, 
bstrand@messerlikramer.com
St Paul, MN, 55103, 6515569208, 
charles.sutton@mesabimetallics.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55402, 6123692974, 
will@momentum-advocacy.com
Edina, MN, 55435, 5072061711, 
4) BLOOD CANCER UNITED, INC. (FORMERLY LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)
5) CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ST PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS
7) CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK
8) EMERGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10) GREATER MN CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS
11) GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY
13) HMONG AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP
14) HUNTSMAN BUILDING SOLUTIONS
15) INTERFAITH ACTION OF GREATER ST. PAUL
16) INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (IBM)
17) LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
18) LINK, THE
22) MN ASSN OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
23) MN ATHLETIC TRAINERS ASSN (MATA)
24) MN COALITION OF PRIMROSE SCHOOLS
27) MN LICENSED BEVERAGE ASSN, INC. (MLBA)
28) MN MUNICIPAL BEVERAGE ASSN
29) MN NURSES ASSN
30) MN TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
31) NEIGHBORS INC.
32) NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES LLC
33) NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE
34) PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS COUNCIL
35) PILLSBURY UNITED COMMUNITIES
36) RS EDEN
38) SUSAN G. KOMEN
sam@capitolhillassoc.com
St Paul, MN, 55103, 6122809349, 
warren@nsamn.com
Minneapolis, MN, 55421, 6127357195,