Gary Palmquist brings over two decades of experience as a lobbyist and Capitol Hill staffer to Thorn Run Partners. Drawing on his extensive network of bipartisan connections in Congress, Mr. Palmquist has a consistent track record of devising effective lobbying strategies and achieving successful results. A seasoned practitioner, he focuses his representation on healthcare, financial services, corporations, coalitions, and trade associations. Mr. Palmquist joined Thorn Run Partners in 2010 after serving at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization. During his tenure at NFIB, he developed grassroots strategies, advocated for tax relief and healthcare reform, and engaged in lobbying efforts before Congress.
Prior to his work at NFIB, Mr. Palmquist held the position of Legislative Director for former Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition—a group of fiscally responsible House Democrats. In this capacity, he played a significant role in formulating alternative policies for the federal budget, tax reform legislation, trade agreements, and other key priorities of the Blue Dog Coalition. Mr. Palmquist previously worked for former Congressman Ken Bentsen (D-TX), a prominent member of the House Financial Services Committee. In addition to his responsibilities as Legislative Director, he contributed to the pro-growth policy initiatives of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, of which Congressman Bentsen was a leader. Mr. Palmquist also served as Legislative Director for former Congressman Bob Clement (D-TN), a long-serving member of the House Transportation and Budget Committees.
A skilled liaison bridging the business community and Capitol Hill, Mr. Palmquist’s pragmatic and bipartisan approach has earned him respect from both sides of the political aisle. He holds a B.S. degree from the University of Houston and a master’s degree from American Military University. When he is not in Washington, DC, Mr. Palmquist resides in Los Angeles with his wife Katie.
