Andrea Watts, founder of Watts Advocacy, is a registered professional lobbyist in Alaska with over twenty years of experience working in the fields of government affairs, public relations, and education. Andrea leverages her diverse, professional background and an unwavering focus and vigilance to provide clients with innovative, winning strategies in Alaska’s complex political environment.

 

Andrea has earned a stellar reputation among Juneau decision makers and legislative leaders—she is known for her integrity, subject matter expertise, and institutional knowledge.

 

In addition to representing Watts Advocacy clients, Andrea joined Juneau-based lobbying firm Hickey & Associates in early 2021, advocating for many of the firm’s clients, addressing critical policy matters such as education funding, nursing licensure, public health, voting rights, and gun violence prevention. Hickey & Associates was established in 1991 by lobbyist and former DOT&PF commissioner, Mark Hickey, and is known as one of Alaska’s top lobbying firms.

 

Andrea began her career in legislative advocacy at Stoops & Associates in 2017, specializing in health, property, and casualty insurance; telecommunications; transportation; and seafood processing; following seven years of working with the firm's clients as a legislative aide. During that time, she built strong relationships with the firm's clients and the political community as a whole.

 

Prior to working as a professional lobbyist, Andrea served as Legislative Aide to State Representative Neal Foster, current House Finance Co-Chair. To this day, the strong bipartisan relationships she built with legislators and staff benefits clients. Along with her expansive political background, Andrea taught secondary English and Literature in Alaska, Hawai‘i, and California.  

 

Andrea earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature, with a certificate in secondary teaching, from the University of Montana. Raised in Juneau, she is the 3rd generation in her family to live in Alaska, and continues to live there year-round.