These conflicts of interest are rampant.

Here is a recent example from San Diego by a company called Accela:

  Another hopeful using [lobbying company] Presidio’s services 
  is Accela, which wants to get a “contract for IT support 
  services within the Development Services Department.” 
  Whether by coincidence or  not, John Sasson of Orinda, 
  California, who is listed as  working in “business 
  development” for Accela, kicked in $1050 for
  [San Diego Mayor] Faulconer’s  reelection campaign on March 
  17, according to a March 18 disclosure report.

Maybe Mr. Sasson is deeply interested in San Diego politics, despite living 500 miles away.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/mar/30/radar-beer-mo...