Experience That Opens Doors

The Carnahan Group combines congressional, legal, judicial, and government affairs experience to help organizations engage effectively with Congress, federal agencies, and key stakeholders.

  • Founder and Principal

    Debra Carnahan is the founding principal of The Carnahan Group LLC, bringing more than 40 years of experience in law, public service, politics and government relations. Throughout her career, she has advised nonprofit organizations, trade associations, businesses and public leaders on legislative, regulatory and public policy matters.

    Debra's career includes service as a state prosecutor, Assistant United States Attorney and judge for the City of St. Louis. During her time with the Department of Justice, she was selected to work with HUD Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to help establish the nation's specialized HUD Fraud Enforcement Unit. As a judge, she helped create the St. Louis Problem Property Court, an innovative court funded through a HUD grant to address vacant and nuisance properties through collaboration between the courts, city agencies and community stakeholders.

    For more than two decades, Debra has advised nonprofit organizations, trade associations and businesses before Congress and federal agencies, helping clients navigate complex policy issues and build productive relationships in Washington. She believes effective advocacy begins with listening and that lasting results come from thoughtful preparation, strong relationships and practical solutions.

    At The Carnahan Group, Debra combines legal experience, public service and government affairs to help clients successfully navigate Washington and achieve their policy objectives.

  • Principal

    Serving in significant public and private sector leadership roles, former Congressman Russ Carnahan has established a national network of relationships with key government leaders and organizations to help address client challenges and achieve their government relations goals. From 2005-2013, Carnahan represented Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District that included urban and rural areas in the St. Louis region. He served in a number of leadership roles, including as Senior Democratic Whip from 2009-13 and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Center Aisle Caucus focused on common sense solutions for both political parties. In 2009, he was a founding member of the U.S. House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition that is still a driving force on sustainability issues in Congress. Carnahan was selected as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations and received a Presidential Appointment from the Obama/Biden Administration as Congressional Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.  He also served on the U.S. House of Representatives committees for: Transportation & Infrastructure; Science & Technology; and Veterans Affairs. He led caucuses on High Performance Buildings and Historic Preservation. Carnahan serves on the national board of the bipartisan U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress that works extensively with current and former members. He also is the Chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party and serves on the Executive Committee of the DNC where he is connected to leaders from across the country. 

    Carnahan began his career in public service when he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2000. He was Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and Deputy Majority Whip.  He earned a number of awards for his legislative work, including from the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association, the St. Louis Business Journal and the Missouri Bar Association.  Prior to his tenure in Congress, Carnahan served as Director of Government Relations for BJC HealthCare, one of the largest hospital systems in the country where he coordinated advocacy with related national associations: AHA, AAMC and NACHRI.

    After leaving Congress, Carnahan was a partner with Carnahan Global Consulting in Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, MO., specializing in international business, legal and governmental consulting.  His work particularly focused on issues of renewable energy, sustainable building technology, historic preservation, transportation infrastructure and transition to commercial electric vehicles. He further served as Senior Policy Advisor at the global law firm, BCLP in their Government Affairs Group where he assisted clients in navigating Congress and the Executive Branch.

    Part of a family well known for state and national public service, Carnahan is the son of former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan and the late Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan. His wife, Debra Carnahan, Principal with The Carnahan Group, LLC, is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and St. Louis Municipal Judge.

  • Senior Associate

    Andrew Carnahan supports The Carnahan Group’s federal advocacy, government relations, and business development efforts, helping clients navigate Congress, federal agencies, and the broader public policy landscape.

    Andrew has experience in legislative advocacy, coalition building, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. He has supported organizations across multiple policy areas, including small business, trade association issues, renewable energy, and federal regulatory matters. His work includes helping develop advocacy strategies, coordinating outreach to policymakers, tracking legislative and regulatory developments, and supporting clients as they advance their priorities in Washington.

    Prior to his work with The Carnahan Group, Andrew gained experience in political campaigns, nonprofit advocacy, and renewable energy business development. He brings a practical, collaborative approach to helping organizations communicate effectively, build relationships, and pursue meaningful policy outcomes.