Former senator Cory Gardner Named President of Cable Industry Lobbying Group
WASHINGTON D.C. – Former Republican Senator Cory Gardner has been appointed president and CEO of the National cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the leading trade association for the U.S. cable industry.The declaration comes as the industry faces increasing scrutiny over broadband access, affordability, and competition, and amidst a wave of consolidation within the telecom sector.
Gardner’s appointment places a former lawmaker deeply involved in telecom policy at the helm of the industry’s primary lobbying arm. During his time in the Senate representing Colorado,Gardner was a key figure on the Commerce,Science,and Transportation Committee,shaping legislation related to broadband deployment and net neutrality. His move to the NCTA exemplifies the “revolving door” between Washington and the industries they regulate, raising concerns about potential influence peddling and the prioritization of industry interests over public benefit.The NCTA represents cable companies serving over 75 million homes and businesses. Gardner succeeds Michael Powell, who recently departed to lead a private equity firm. His arrival coincides with ongoing mergers and acquisitions, including Cox/Charter and Verizon/Frontier, which critics fear will further concentrate market power and negatively impact broadband quality and pricing.
Throughout his career, Gardner has been a vocal advocate for deregulation and limited government intervention in the telecom sector. Critics point to past Republican actions, such as the dismantling of net neutrality rules and the rejection of efforts to bolster the FCC’s rural broadband subsidy program, as evidence of a pattern of prioritizing industry interests. The appointment of Gardner is expected to intensify the industry’s lobbying efforts on capitol Hill, particularly as Congress considers legislation related to broadband funding and competition.
