Politics magazine will publish a list of the 100 most influential Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania in its January 2010 issue (with Gov. Ed Rendell as a guest editor no less), but the magazine has released the list online ahead of this weekend's Pennsylvania Society dinner. Alex Roarty compiled the Republican list. Sean Coit compiled the Democratic list. Roarty and Colt also provide their rationale for picking the people on the list.
TOP 10 REPUBLICANSFor the full list of the 100 most influential Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania, go to the magazine's Web site.
Rob and Chris Gleason: Rob, the Republican state chairman, has an active role in statewide races and has done a good job trying to fill leadership void in a party without a sitting governor or U.S. Senator. His brother Chris raises the money as the party’s finance director.
Bob Asher: Consummate behind-the-scenes power broker remains the first name people mention when putting together a list like this.
Richard Mellon Scaife: His money alone would put him in the top 10, but the editorial perch af- forded by his conservative Tribune-Review newspaper also makes him one of the most powerful media voices in the state.
John Brabender: His reach extends beyond Pennsylvania, but he remains the go-to consultant for many statewide candidates. Brabender was the senior strategist for Tom Corbett’s campaign and helped mastermind Tom Ridge’s election victories.
Mike Long: Long is the campaign guru who has helped mastermind Republican domi- nance in the state Senate in recent years despite the state’s leftward shift.
Fred Anton: The long time Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association leader funds much of the conservative infrastructure in the state, such as the right- of-center think-tank Commonwealth Foundation.
Rob Bickhart: A fundraiser extraordinaire, Bickhart is now the national finance director for the Republican National Committee.
David Girard-diCarlo: The former Ridge and Bush money man turned U.S. Ambassador to Austria is back in the U..S. and at a new law firm that likes political action.
Rick Santorum: The former senator can be seen on Fox News and can be read in the Philadelphia Inquirer. While he lost his seat, the voters in Iowa and New Hampshire love him. Presidential rumblings have once again put him in the national spotlight.
TOP 10 DEMOCRATS
David L. Cohen: Cohen is first an executive VP at Comcast but is really much more. In November, Philadelphia Magazine said Cohen “wears more hats and wields more power than any Philadelphian in recent history.” Tied to Rendell, Obama, the University of Pennsylvania, and others, Cohen knows and influences everyone.
John Estey: An attorney with Ballad Spahr, Estey is Rendell’s former chief of staff and chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. He’s also out front for his law school classmate’s campaign for governor (Dan On- orato). Estey’s presence at Ballard Spahr ensures the firm’s continued influence.
Neil Oxman: If you’re running a statewide campaign in Pennsylvania, Oxman is the first person you call for advice on how to do it.
Ken Jarin: An attorney at Ballard Spahr, Jarin is also the chief labor negotiator for the Commonwealth and the city of Philadelphia and a must-know for anyone with political ambitions in Philadelphia or statewide.
Matt Casey: One of the most talented trial lawyers in Pennsylvania at his firm, Ross Feller Casey, Casey is young, extremely sharp, and connected. Plus, he is a very close adviser to his brother, Sen. Bob Casey.
Shanin Specter: A founding partner of Kline Specter, Shanin Specter is one of the most successful lawyers in the country and an opinion maker among Pennsylvania’s powerful trial lawyers. He is also the closest adviser to his father, Sen. Arlen Specter.
Bob Brady: He’s not on this list as a Member of Congress, but rather as the head of the Philadelphia Democratic Party. Little happens in Philadelphia politics without Brady’s knowledge and approval.
Alan Kessler: Rendell named Kessler finance chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and with good reason. When Democrats need to raise money in Pennsylvania, Kessler is the first person called. Kessler is the chair- man of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, and is known as a strong advocate for clients.
Mary Isenhour: The Democratic Party executive director is as influential as she is well- liked throughout the commonwealth.
T.J. Rooney: As the Democratic chairman in a state with a Democratic governor, Democratic state House chamber, two Democratic U.S. senators and 12 Democratic U.S. House members, Rooney is a guy who knows everyone.
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