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The 2017 Pension Political Power 25: Corey Lewandowski
No. 14. Corey Lewandowski, Co-founder, Avenue Strategies


Few political operatives appear better suited to thrive in the topsy-turvy world of Washington under the 45th president of the United States than Puerto Rico’s new man in D.C., Corey Lewandowski. And as a lobbyist for the commonwealth, he could become an unlikely pension savior.
When he met Donald Trump, Lewandowski had gained a name for himself as a bruiser and a doer in New Hampshire politics; in January 2016 he became the real estate mogul’s campaign manager. His tenure didn’t last long, but his scowling presence set the tone for the Republican candidate’s campaign, and he’s given credit for the “let Trump be Trump” approach, which proved a winning strategy.
Now Lewandowski, 43, is back in Washington as a lobbyist. One of his first clients: cash-strapped Puerto Rico. In late January the territory and its recently elected governor, Ricardo Rosselló, 37, were in talks with Lewandowski’s new firm, Avenue Strategies, to represent the commonwealth. Any resolution of Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis will have to address a massively underfunded public pension system and the payment of pension benefits going forward. Also, a restructuring of the territory’s pension debt could set a precedent for what happens to U.S. states struggling with pension burdens. — Imogen Rose-Smith
![]() 2. Bruce Rauner Governor of Illinois ![]() 3. Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education ![]() 4. Laura & John Arnold Founders, Laura and John Arnold Foundation ![]() 5. Steven Mnuchin Secretary of the Treasury |
![]() 6. Wilbur Ross Secretary of Commerce ![]() 7. Tani Cantil-Sakauye California Chief Justice ![]() 8. Paul Ryan Speaker of the House ![]() 9. Anthony Scaramucci Founder, SkyBridge Capital ![]() 10. Kevin de León California State Senator and President Pro Tempore |
![]() 11. Mike Enzi Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security ![]() 12. Steve Sweeney President, New Jersey State Senate ![]() 13. Jerry Brown Governor of California ![]() 14. Corey Lewandowski Co-founder, Avenue Strategies ![]() 15. Paul Singer President, Elliott Management Corp. |
![]() 16. Randel Johnson Senior Vice President, Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits, U.S. Chamber of Commerce ![]() 17. Joe Manchin U.S. Senator ![]() 18. Kenneth Feinberg Founder and managingpartner, Feinberg Rozen ![]() 19. Scott Walker Governor of Wisconsin ![]() 20. Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO |
![]() 21. Mike Rawlings Mayor of Dallas ![]() 22. Elizabeth Warren U.S. Senator ![]() 23. Kent Mason Partner, Davis & Harman ![]() 24. Bernie Sanders U.S. Senator ![]() 25. Randi Weingarten President, American Federation of Teachers |