L.F. Payne

L.F. Payne is President and member of the Executive Committee of McGuire/Woods Consulting, LLC., a PR firm affiliated with the law firm McGuireWoods LLP. Payne, a former Democratic congressman representing Virginia's 5th Congressional District from 1988 until 1997, is described as helping clients with "trade, tax issues, health care, real estate, and transportation." 

Payne was a strongly pro-tobacco legislator who led a drive to collect signatures from more than 120 legislators to oppose the Food and Drug Administration efforts to regulate cigarettes and reduce sales of cigarettes to minors. Payne was also instrumental in leading opposition to President Clinton's 1992 plan to raise the federal excise tax on cigarettes to pay for universal health care for Americans. 

In 1995-96, Payne ranked second only to Thomas Bliley (R-VA) as the House member who received the most financial support from tobacco companies.