❓WHAT HAPPENED: POLITICO has been utilizing the services of Invariant, a lobbying firm led by Democrat mega-donor Heather Podesta, who has contributed over $250,000 to Democrat candidates and committees this year.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: POLITICO, Heather Podesta, Invariant, and Evan Hollander, a veteran Democrat operative now serving as POLITICO’s senior vice president of communications.
📍WHEN & WHERE: POLITICO admitted that Invariant was a client in its Influence newsletter in February.
🎯IMPACT: Invariant’s ties to POLITICO raise questions about its claims of objectivity.
POLITICO, self-described as the “leading destination for non-partisan news and unbiased policy coverage,” is paying for services from Invariant, founded by Democrat mega-donor Heather Podesta.
Heather Podesta has donated more than $250,000 to the Democrat Party this year, including the legal maximum of $44,500 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. She is the former wife of Tony Podesta, founder of The Podesta Group, a lobbying firm with close ties to the Democrat Party, and founding president of People For The American Way, a progressive advocacy group.
In 2021, Huawei, the Chinese tech multinational, reportedly hired Tony Podesta to foster relations between the company and the Biden government. Tony’s brother, John Podesta, worked as White House Chief of Staff under former President Bill Clinton and held numerous climate and energy positions under former President Joe Biden.
Invariant claims it is a “bipartisan public affairs, lobbying, and business advisory firm”. It is unclear which services POLITICO receives from Invariant. The firm’s services range from public relations to lobbying and legislative strategy. The firm brought in over $47 million from lobbying clients in 2025, according to public records.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
