Ex-Democratic Advisor to Join Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., parrying criticism from labor groups and lawmakers, hired former Democratic advisor Leslie Dach to oversee the company’s lobbying and public relations.

Dach, 52, will fill a new position and report to Chief Executive H. Lee Scott starting in late August, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company said. Dach is vice chairman of Edelman Public Relations, responsible for the firm’s Washington office and head of its Wal-Mart team.