The Southwest Strategies File

The firm that manufactures consent — and lobbies both parties at once

San Diego's dominant public-affairs and lobbying firm (founded 2000 by Chris Wahl and Alan Ziegaus; rebranded Bodewell Group, Feb 2026). With 1,001 evidence-backed connections, it is the machine's messaging arm: it lobbied 27 different city and county elected officials across both parties (2012-2025) for 42 development, hospitality, gaming, and short-term-rental clients — while donating $134,454, hedged across the Republican ($69,314) and Democratic ($18,000) county parties at once. Its client roster threads straight through the city's signature land deals: Cisterra (101 Ash / 7th & Market), Midway Rising / Zephyr (the Sports Arena), the Padres, and the multi-year short-term-rental fight (HomeAway/Expedia). It also fundraises for the very officials it lobbies, and embeds former council staff (Diana Palacios) as lobbyists.