DeLamater named partner at major N.J. lobbying firm

Michael DeLamater, a former top aide to Gov. Phil Murphy who played a significant role in the election of Democrat Mikie Sherrill as the 57th governor of New Jersey, has joined a major State Street lobbying firm.

DeLamater, whose connections to legislators and county and municipal elected officials run deep and wide, is now a partner at CLB Partners.

“Mike knows how the system works—and how to make the system work on behalf of our clients,” said Jon-Robert Bombardieri, the firm’s managing partner.

Last year, CLB Partners was ranked third in lobbying revenues in the state.

After working for Assemblyman (now State Senator) Joseph Lagana and for two former assemblymembers, DeLamater joined Murphy’s campaign for governor in 2017, eventually becoming the deputy chief of staff.   He was a Senior Political and Strategic Advisor to Sherrill for Governor in the primary and general elections.

“Mike has shown himself to be an effective strategist both in the policy and political arena over his career,” said another partner, Jon Boguchwal.  “His understanding of the legislative process and his relationships with leaders throughout the state will enhance the effective representation we provide our clients.”

CLB partner Karen Kominsky said that DeLamater “brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will strengthen our capabilities.”

“He has established a reputation for his strategic insights and collaborative approach,” she said.

After leaving the Murphy administration and a stint on the governor’s 2021 re-election campaign, DeLamater opened his own government relations firm and won election as the Morris County Democratic Vice Chairman.

He said he was proud to be joining the CLB team.

“CLB has an extraordinary record of success achieving results on behalf of its clients, which is why it is known as the bridge between business and government,” DeLamater stated.

The firm has deep roots on both sides of the aisle: Bombardieri is a former executive director of the Assembly Republican Office, Boguchwal was chief of staff to Senate President Richard Codey, and Kominsky was deputy chief of staff to two governors, James E. McGreevey and Codey, and is a former deputy commissioner at the Department of Environmental Protection.  Another partner, David Glass, was also a DEP deputy commissioner.