Public Policy Holding Company has acquired Sacramento-based Lucas Public Affairs in a deal worth up to $22M.

The initial $7.5M payment is composed of $6M in cash and $1.5M in stock issued to LPA owners.

The LPA transaction follows PPHC’s 2022 acquisition of KP Public Affairs, which is also located in California’s capital.

Launched by Donna Lucas in 2006, LPA’s strengths are in corporate communications, high-level reputation and issues management, and state-based campaigning.

Stewart Hall, PPHC CEO, said LPA’s 28 staffers are stellar additions to his firm’s growing family of operating brands. “There are very few other jurisdictions that matter more to our clients than California, and nowhere else is the future of business being decided like what is happening here in Sacramento,” said Hall.

California is in the forefront of major issues including technology regulation, privacy, energy, climate change and environmental policy.

LPA teamed with PPHC because it “wanted stability, a commitment to our roster of current and future firm leaders, and we wanted the kind of partner who would allow us to continue to remain independent and true to our culture while continuing to grow,” said Lucas.

PPHC’s nine operating companies include LPA, KPPA, Seven Letter, Crossroad Strategies, Forbes Tate Partners, O’Neill & Assocs., Concordant, MultiState Assocs., and Alpine Group Partners.

DC-based PPHC trades on the London Stock Exchange.