Republicans, take heart. There’s still a top job or two in town that doesn’t measure one’s qualifications solely by party affiliation. Take the Entertainment Software Association, the lobbying group for the computer and video game industry, which on Wednesday announced it had tapped Mike Gallagher, a former official in President Bush’s administration, as its new president. Gallagher will lead the ESA beginning later this month. [IMGCAP(1)]

Gallagher, who chairs both Perkins Coie’s government relations and communications practice, was assistant secretary of Commerce for communications and information in the Bush administration. His registered clients at Perkins Coie included Cingular Wireless, now part of AT&T.

“Mike is one of the smartest and most capable strategists in town,” said lobbyist Bruce Mehlman, who worked in the Commerce Department with Gallagher. According to industry sources, Gallagher will need to draw on that savvy as he represents an industry in the hot seat as parents and politicians express concerns about the violence in video games.

Gallagher replaces Democrat Doug Lowenstein, who was tapped earlier this year to head the new Private Equity Council.

— Kate Ackley