The Pennsylvania Influencers list is made up of the Commonwealth’s top business, legal and civic leaders, whose opinions are respected by peers and elected officials alike.

1. Pennsylvania Influencers
By Alex Roarty and Sean Coit The Pennsylvania Influencers list is made up of the Commonwealth’s top business, legal
and civic leaders, whose opinions are respected by peers and elected officials alike. The
writers consulted with a wide variety of geographically and politically diverse individu-
als who helped identify these 100 people as the “insiders who insiders turn to when in
need.” The group is a mix of donors, organizers, confidants and consultants. These are
the people whose opinions matter in the Keystone State.
Alex Roarty has covered politics in Pennsylvania for a variety of media outlets, including
a stint as PolitickerPA’s Harrisburg correspondent. He is currently an editor and staff
writer for PoliticsPA, an online publication that focuses on the behind-the-scenes action
in Harrisburg and for campaigns statewide. He put together the Republican list. Sean
Coit, a graduate of St. Joseph’s University, is an assistant editor and writer for PoliticsPA
and has been published in the Philadelphia Inquirer. He put together the Democratic list.

2. presents... Pennsylvania Influencers
Top 10 Republicans
Rob and Chris Gleason Mike Long
Rob, the Republican state chairman, has an active role in statewide Long is the campaign guru who has helped mastermind Republican domi-
races and has done a good job trying to fill leadership void in a party nance in the state Senate in recent years despite the state’s leftward shift.
without a sitting governor or U.S. Senator. His brother Chris raises the
money as the party’s finance director. Fred Anton
The long time Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association leader funds
Bob Asher much of the conservative infrastructure in the state, such as the right-
Consummate behind-the-scenes power broker remains the first name of-center think-tank Commonwealth Foundation.
people mention when putting together a list like this.
Rob Bickhart
Richard Mellon Scaife A fundraiser extraordinaire, Bickhart is now the national finance director
His money alone would put him in the top 10, but the editorial perch af- for the Republican National Committee.
forded by his conservative Tribune-Review newspaper also makes him
one of the most powerful media voices in the state. David Girard-diCarlo
The former Ridge and Bush money man turned U.S. Ambassador to
John Brabender Austria is back in the U.S. and at a new law firm that likes political action.
His reach extends beyond Pennsylvania, but he remains the go-to
consultant for many statewide candidates. Brabender was the senior Rick Santorum
strategist for Tom Corbett’s campaign and helped mastermind Tom The former senator can be seen on Fox News and can be read in the
Ridge’s election victories. 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.
44 Politics « January 2010

3. presents... Pennsylvania Influencers
The Next 40 Republicans
Jim Roddey Leslie Gromis Baker John McNichol, Sr. David Urban
A former popular Allegheny Fundraiser and strategist with Powerful Delaware County party Well-respected former Specter
County executive and current roots in the Ridge administration, boss chief of staff, gets things done on
county GOP chair; clout grows as well respected by all both sides of the aisle in D.C.
western Pennsylvania continues Alan Novak
to vote more conservatively Stan Rapp His firm is a repository of ex-GOP Mark Holman
Harrisburg lobbyist at Greenlee staffers (and knowledge) Former Ridge chief of staff and
Pat Deon Partners is known for strong Department of Homeland Secu-
The chairman of the Southeast- House ties Charlie Gerow rity official, still connected in his
ern Pennsylvania Transportation GOP media presence, Quantum home state
Authority and a board member Christine Toretti Communications
on the Pennsylvania Turnpike National committeewoman Todd Nyquist
Commission Now professionally teamed up
Jerry Morgan
Newly appointed state GOP with Mike Long, former top Sen-
Rob Wonderling Jeff Coleman ate aide
Go-to consultant for many base congressional liaison
Affable former state senator, now
conservatives
head of the powerful Greater
Philly Chamber of Commerce Peg Luksik
Glen Meakum GOP candidate and important
Radio host, active in western anti-abortion activist
Manny Stamatakis
Pennsylvania Republican efforts
Former head of the Delaware
River Port Authority, remains a Roy Zimmerman
Dan Meuser Former Pennsylvania attorney
stalwart fundraiser
Former Congressional candidate general oversees $8 billion Her-
and northeast PA money man shey Trust
Nick deBenedictis
Former Thornburgh adminis-
tration official is still a political Roger Richards R.J. Harris
Northwest Pennsylvania mover- Radio voice of central Pennsylva-
heavyweight
and-shaker nia’s Republicans
Tom Ridge
Former governor’s endorse- Charles Snelling Renee Amoree
Longtime Lehigh Valley power Deputy chair of Republican state
ment is still sought-after by most
broker party
Republicans in the state
John Templeton, Jr. Vince Galko David James
One of select group of Pennsyl- Still Pennsylvania’s inside guy at
Wealthy philanthropist, donates
vania GOP consultants trusted to the RNC
to Republican efforts both in state
and nationally run major races
Alan Walker
Lawrence Tabas Longtime money man is
Luke Bernstein
Legal counsel’s expertise makes co-finance chair for Corbett’s
State GOP executive director who
him indispensible in most Repub- campaign
runs a tight ship
lican efforts
Chris Bravacos Ken Braithwaite
HAP Regional Executive who
Consulting firm Bravo Group is Bernie Comfort “gets” healthcare and can trans-
consistent top performer Runs the very successful Anne
late its importance to politicos
Anstine program
Brian Nutt
Colin Hanna
Campaign manager for guberna- Matt Brouilette Former Chester County Com-
torial Republican frontrunner Tom CEO of conservative think-tank
missioner runs conservative “Let
Corbett Commonwealth Foundation,
Freedom Ring” organization
sought out under Harrisburg’s
Chris Lilik Capitol dome
Founder of grassrootspa.com, Elsie Hillman
The grand dame of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Drudge Report Skip Brion “big tent” Republican politics,
The all important Chester County
remains influential
GOP chair
January 2010 « Politics 45

4. presents... Pennsylvania Influencers
Top 10 Democrats
David L. Cohen Shanin Specter
Cohen is first an executive VP at Comcast but is really much more. In A founding partner of Kline Specter, Shanin Specter is one of the
November, Philadelphia Magazine said Cohen “wears more hats and most successful lawyers in the country and an opinion maker among
wields more power than any Philadelphian in recent history.” Tied to Pennsylvania’s powerful trial lawyers. He is also the closest adviser to
Rendell, Obama, the University of Pennsylvania, and others, Cohen his father, Sen. Arlen Specter.
knows and influences everyone.
Bob Brady
John Estey He’s not on this list as a Member of Congress, but rather as the head of
An attorney with Ballad Spahr, Estey is Rendell’s former chief of staff the Philadelphia Democratic Party. Little happens in Philadelphia politics
and chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. He’s also out without Brady’s knowledge and approval.
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.
Alan Kessler
Rendell named Kessler finance chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic
Party, and with good reason. When Democrats need to raise money in
Neil Oxman Pennsylvania, Kessler is the first person called. Kessler is the chair-
If you’re running a statewide campaign in Pennsylvania, Oxman is the man of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, and is known as a
first person you call for advice on how to do it. strong advocate for clients.
Ken Jarin Mary Isenhour
An attorney at Ballard Spahr, Jarin is also the chief labor negotiator for The Democratic Party executive director is as influential as she is well-
the Commonwealth and the city of Philadelphia and a must-know for liked throughout the commonwealth.
anyone with political ambitions in Philadelphia or statewide.
T.J. Rooney
Matt Casey As the Democratic chairman in a state with a Democratic governor,
One of the most talented trial lawyers in Pennsylvania at his firm, Ross Democratic state House chamber, two Democratic U.S. senators and
Feller Casey, Casey is young, extremely sharp, and connected. Plus, he 12 Democratic U.S. House members, Rooney is a guy who knows
is a very close adviser to his brother, Sen. Bob Casey. everyone.
46 Politics « January 2010

5. Follow us on
Twitter!
www.twitter.com/politicsmag

6. presents... Pennsylvania Influencers
The Next 40 Democrats
Steve Wojdak Clifford Levine John Saler Michelle Singer
Harrisburg’s top lobbyist at Attorney at Thorp Reed & Arm- Lobbyist and chairman of govern- A major Rendell fundraiser, now
Wojdak & Associates strong, former chair of Obama for ment and public affairs at Stradley works at Comcast with Cohen
President Western Pennsylvania Ronon, whose counsel is sought
Mark Aronchik Steering Committee by many including Mayor Nutter Jim Burn
Attorney at Hangley Aronchick and Senator Casey Chairman of Allegheny County
Segal & Podlin knows all the right Gregory Rost Democrats
people in Philadelphia Chief of staff for the president of Ken Snyder
the University of Pennsylvania is a Former Rendell adviser, well- Pat Brier
Jef Pollock Philly political veteran connected consultant An attorney at Stevens & Lee, Bri-
New York based pollster, Global er is connected with Sen. Casey
Strategy Group Steve Irwin Gerald McHugh and U.S. Rep. John Murtha
Partner at Pittsburgh’s Leech Philadelphia attorney at Raynes
Rich Sestak Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, con- McCarty, powerful within Philadel- Ed Mitchell
Brother, close advisor to U.S. nected with countless organiza- phia Trial Lawyers Association Edward Mitchell Communica-
Rep. Joe Sestak tions in Pittsburgh tions, closely tied to U.S. Rep.
Larry Ceisler Paul Kanjorski
Connie Williams Gabe Morgan Principal at Ceisler Jubelirer,
Former state senator whose Pittsburgh director for the SEIU, whose insight is sought by po- Josh Morrow
endorsement matters one of Pennsylvania’s most im- litical insiders and corporations Campaign manager, Tom Knox
portant labor representatives across the state for Govenor
Ron Dinicola
Former Erie congressional candi- John Dougherty Mark Nevins Saul Shorr
date is a key player in northwest IBEW business manager still Partner at Dover Strategy Group, Princpal at Shorr Johnson Mag-
Pennsylvania holds sway in Philadelphia campaign expert now working nus, top-tier campaign consultant
with Chris Doherty
Dan Fee Peter Buttenweiser Steve Cozen
President, The Echo Group, Philanthropist, major donor Robert Borski, Jr. Attorney at Cozen & O’Connor,
former Rendell spokesman and Influential former congressman, heads one of Pennsylvania’s top
campaign veteran Virginia McGregor founded lobbying firm Borski firms
Sister of Scranton Mayor Chris Do- Associates
herty, close adviser and strategist Marcel Groen
Dick Hayden Montgomery County Democratic
Lobbyist at CHH Partners, close Chair
to Gov. Rendell and Mayor Nutter
Kevin Kinross
Joe Brimmeier Campaign Manager for Dan
Western Pennsylvania political Onorato, Democratic frontrunner
operative, executive director of for Governor
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Larry Platt
Brigid Sullivan Publisher of politically insightful
Exec. director of Allegheny Philadelphia Magazine, almost ran
County Democrats, an up and for Congress in ‘08
comer
Al Boscov
Murray Ufberg Owner of Boscov’s Department
A go-to-guy in the northeast with stores, has a civic and political
Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald sensibility
Holly Kinser Adrian King
Lobbyist with Wojdak & Associ- Attorney at Ballard Spahr, re-
ates, close ties to Rendell and sourceful former Rendell Cabinet
Nutter member, said to be “most power-
ful PEMA Director ever”
Mark Alderman
Former Wolf Block chairman, an Bill George
attorney at Cozen & O’Connor Pennsylvania AFL-CIO president
is an important voice for orga-
John Verbanac nized labor
Principal at Summa Development,
has the ear of Pittsburgh Mayor
Luke Ravenstahl
48 Politics « January 2010