SUBJECT

Chris Wahl

"The Dealmaker"

Raised $160K for politicians. Then lobbied those same politicians in private meetings.

CEO of Southwest Strategies (rebranded Bodewell Group, Feb 2026). Raised $160K+ for Gloria, Elliott, and council members. Registered lobbyist. Arranged private meetings on the 101 Ash Street settlement. Palladium Heritage, a PE firm managing ~$3B, took a stake in his firm — investing not in PR but in access. The dual role of fundraiser-lobbyist is legal and common in California. That is the point.