Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the lobbying group for the drug industry, has named Bryant Hall as its new top lobbyist, three sources have confirmed.

A Democrat, Hall has been in PhRMA’s government relations department since 2004, according to federal lobbying records. He will assume the reins from Alan Gilbert, a Republican who the sources said has told colleagues he plans to start his own business.

Gilbert could not be reached for comment, and a PhRMA spokesman did not immediately comment. Sources said the announcement was made internally today at PhRMA, a group that has been working during this Congress to build ties to Democrats.

Former Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) is PhRMA’s president and chief executive officer.

Hall previously worked on the Hill for then-Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and has a long history of working on health care issues.

“He’s very well-known on the Hill by both Democrats and Republicans in the health care world,” said Jonathon Jones, a partner at the lobbying firm Johnson, Madigan, Peck, Boland & Stewart. “Bryant is very well-respected for his political abilities by Democrats on the Hill. … It’s a great thing for Bryant and great for PhRMA.”

Democratic Congressional staffers cheered the promotion of Hall. “It sends a pretty good message,” one senior House Democratic aide said. “And when you pick the best person, and it’s a Democrat, it tells me that you’re thinking about what your members’ interests are.”