TPMDC

Lobbyist Also In Alaska Plane Crash

Lobbyist Jim Morhard

James Morhard, a D.C. lobbyist and the former chief of staff for the Senate Appropriations Committee, was also on the plane that crashed last night in Alaska.

Morhard’s presence on the plane — first reported by Politico — was confirmed to TPM by Katherine Gronberg, the vice president of his lobbying firm. Gronberg said she was still waiting for information about Morhard’s condition.

Morhard was chief of staff for the committee from 2003 to 2005, when Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) was chairman.

Stevens is reported to have been on the plane as well, although those reports have not been confirmed.

Sean O’Keefe, a mentor to Stevens and former NASA administrator, was also on the plane, according to his company, EADS.

The small plane crashed near Dillingham, Alaska, last night. Several people are believed dead, but rescue workers have not been able to reach the crash site.

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