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Former Trump and Christie adviser to lobby for PhRMA




Matt Rourke / AP



The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the powerful lobbying group for the drug industry, has hired Ken McKay as a top state government lobbyist.

McKay most recently managed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's presidential campaign. He also worked as a senior adviser to President Trump's campaign and was the political director of the pro-Trump Rebuilding America Now super PAC.

Why it matters: The move means a leading Republican operative will be pushing for pro-industry drug policies at the state level, which starkly contrasts with Trump's public desire to bring down prescription drug prices. Trump has yet to announce what steps he'll take to address the issue, and a draft executive order was mostly full of industry-friendly measures.