Haley Barbour to return to lobby firm

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) plans to rejoin BGR Group, the lobbying firm he co-founded, when he leaves office next month.

Barbour will finish his second term as governor Jan. 10 and join BGR Group that month, according The Associated Press. A source confirmed the news to The Hill.

{mosads}Barbour served under President Reagan, as Republican National Committee chairman and as Mississippi governor, a position he has held since 2004. Barbour and Ed Rogers started their initially “all-Republican” firm in 1991, and it has long been one of K Street’s top-earning shops.

Barbour toyed with a presidential run in 2012 but eventually bowed out, telling supporters he didn’t have the “fire in the belly” that it takes to win the White House. Some had speculated that his work as a lobbyist would be a liability, but Barbour said he was proud of his career and argued the experience would be an asset as president.

Barbour also has a fundraising and advisory position with American Crossroads, a super-PAC affiliated with Karl Rove.

Barbour was previously a registered lobbyist for BGR. He has represented big name clients such as Microsoft, the United Health Group, Comcast and the Air Transport Association of America.

—Updated at 10:30 a.m.