Capitol soap opera may lead to Democratic insider warfare
A private state Capitol soap opera has exploded into public view and might lead to Democratic insider warfare. House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, was married to Holly Kinser, a lobbyist whose clients included the city of Philadelphia. She left him a few years ago, then left the state two years ago for another job.
When she tried to return to Harrisburg this year, her ex-husband went to extraordinary lengths – and enlisted other lawmakers in his campaign – to prevent any Capitol lobbying firm from hiring her, sources said.
When powerful lobbyist Stephen R. Wojdak recently hired her, DeWeese wrote Wojdak, accusing him of reneging on his pledge to join the campaign to blackball Kinser. In a letter published Friday on the Web site politicspa.com, DeWeese labeled Wojdak a “liar” and “an abject, ignoble, mendacious knave!”
DeWeese, who is a strong candidate to be House speaker if Democrats take back the chamber in the fall elections, vowed to shun Wojdak, widely touted as the most powerful Democratic Party lobbyist.
DeWeese’s statements came in a private letter, sent Thursday. In it, he accuses Wojdak of reneging on an alleged promise not to hire Kinser. By Friday, the letter was listed on the Web site.
While the letter does not explicitly detail the blackball campaign or name Kinser, referring only to “a very personal matter,” several sources confirmed that it referred to DeWeese’s efforts to prevent her from landing a lobbyist job in Harrisburg.
DeWeese spokesman Michael Manzo said the letter was private and not intended for public distribution. He did not dispute the accuracy of the text published by the Web site.
Kevin Feeley, a Wojdak lobbyist, said Kinser and Wojdak won’t comment, and added, “We don’t agree with any of the characterizations of conversations that Mr. DeWeese had with Steve. We have sent a private letter in response to Mr. DeWeese’s public letter and we thought it was unfortunate that the letter was made public.
“Steve Wojdak and Bill DeWeese have been friends for 25 years. We hope that when Mr. DeWeese has a chance to reflect a little bit, he will take Steve up on his offer to meet and discuss this.”
DeWeese wrote to Wojdak, “On Monday, June 17 at 1:37 in the afternoon, you trundled into my office and gave me your word about a very personal matter (the Harrisburg political cognoscenti are well aware of the entire phenomenon and the details are irrelevant to this incendiary missive). … Now your lie is encased in history.”
Before leaving, Kinser was a top lobbyist for Greenlee Associates. She worked closely and often with then-Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. When Rendell gave his victory speech on primary night, Kinser stood near the podium.
Sources said DeWeese sought the restoration of his marriage for more than a year, and her departure is still “his sorest spot,” according to a lawmaker close to DeWeese.
Kinser was looking for jobs in Washington, D.C., or Harrisburg by late 2001. DeWeese and Republican House leaders and other lawmakers discouraged top lobbyists in town from hiring Kinser, lobbyists and House sources said.
DeWeese’s letter said that top legislative leaders lobbied Wojdak and other lobbyists, in person, not to hire Kinser. Lobbyist and legislative sources confirmed that pressure was applied.
DeWeese’s letter said, “The 14 leaders, Committee Chairs, and rank and file members that had talked to you and your team were duly notified on paper, remember? You asked me to track them down and tell them about our meeting.
“Mr. Wojdak, I do not know how you could shave this morning. Not only were you untruthful with me, but you indirectly lied to the Speaker, the Pro Tem, floor leaders, Appropriations Chairmen, rank and file members, and many other people you do business with, day in and day out.”
Feeley said not hiring Kinser was “not at all what they agreed to. Holly Kinser is an outstanding lobbyist.”
DeWeese, whose sign-off for the letter listed himself as “Guardian of my own honor,” concluded by telling Wojdak, “I don’t ever want anything to do with you. You are not welcome in my ambit. Steve Wojdak, the word ‘liar’ will hang around your neck as an albatross, as massive and irremovable as the foothills of the Himalayas.”
One top lobbyist said Wojdak likely hired Kinser to replace several key personnel who recently left the firm and add new blood.
Democratic insiders noted that Wojdak has supported and funded unsuccessful challengers to the DeWeese leadership team in the past and speculated this may presage a challenge to DeWeese as Democratic leader.
This article was reprinted with the permission of the Harrisburg Patriot News.