Actum acquires California lobbying firm with strong ties to unions

SACRAMENTO, California — Actum, the global consulting and lobbying firm led by high-powered figures in Washington, New York and London, as well as Los Angeles and Sacramento, is acquiring one of the California Capitol’s most familiar faces.

Scott Wetch and his firm — Carter, Wetch and Associates — exclusively told POLITICO that he is joining Actum’s growing operations in Sacramento. Wetch, a leading lobbyist for powerful labor unions who also represents corporate giants like Amazon and Verizon, will bolster the Sacramento footprint of Actum, which was founded in late 2021 by former partners who defected from Mercury Public Affairs .

Wetch’s move to Actum follows high-profile acquisitions and mergers in the public affairs space in California, as established figures plan their successions and look for off-ramps and global companies scramble for an edge in California.

In May, POLITICO reported that Lucas Public Affairs, helmed by chief executive Donna Lucas and President Cassandra Pye, was acquired by Public Policy Holding Company for $7.5 million, including $6 million in cash and the rest in stock. That came a year and a half after the company acquired KP Public Affairs, the Sacramento-based lobbying and public affairs firm, for an initial price of $11.4 million.

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS