Holly Kinser
Encyclopedia
Holly Kinser is a Pennsylvania
lobbyist
, where she is the Executive Vice President of S. R. Wojdak & Associates
. As a lobbyist for the City of Philadelphia, she is credited with driving legislation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly
, including a rental-car and hotel tax, to help fund the construction of sports stadiums and to expand the Philadelphia International Airport
. Details of her marriage and subsequent divorce to former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Bill DeWeese garnered significant coverage in the media.
, Kinser's father ran an executive search company. When Kinser was 17, her father became a personnel director for the Reagan White House and she moved with her family to Washington, DC. She took a summer job with the Republican National Committee
, an organization where she worked until she graduated from Scripps College
, where she majored in history and was the swim team captain. She took a position with International Paper
, who sent her to Harrisburg in 1990 to open their lobbying office. A year later she began seeing Bill DeWeese socially, and they married in December 1992.
as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
and in 1994 Kinser's allies Tom Ridge
and Rick Santorum
were elected. She then took a position with Greenlee Associates and began lobbying on behalf of Philadelphia and was able to help pass rental-car tax that helped fund the stadiums, the airport expansion funding, and the one percent hotel tax that fuels the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. It was during this time that rumors of a relationship between her and then-Mayor of Philadelphia Ed Rendell
began. Both Rendell and Kinser deny any impropriety in their relationship.
Kinser and DeWeese separated in 1999. She began seeing Ed Linsley, a manager at Philadelphia Four Seasons Hotel. DeWeese, who was served the divorce papers on the House floor blamed Rendell for the dissolution of his marriage. In 2001, Kinser moved to Chicago and took a job with the small public-relations firm Kemper Lesnick when Linsley was assigned to the Chicago Four Seasons. In June 2002 Kinser sought to return to the Harrisburg lobbying community and DeWeese asked lobbyist Steve Wojdak not to hire Kinser. Later that year, Wojdak hired Kinser; accounts conflict on the specifics of what happened in the earlier meeting and whether Wojdak had actually broken any agreement. DeWeese penned a letter (eventually leaked to PoliticsPA
and published to wide dissemination) calling Wojdak an "abject, ignoble, mendacious knave." In relatiation, DeWeese sought to keep Wojdak off of the board of the Philadelphia Convention Center Authority
.
During the 2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
, rumors spread that Republican Mike Fisher's campaign was preparing to air a negative television advertisement discussing her relationship with the Democratic nominee for Governor Ed Rendell
. In two incidents in one evening, Kinser loudly and publicly confronted Fisher's television man, John Brabender
, and campaign manager, Kent Gates
regarding these rumors, reportedly telling Gates "I hate your guts". In a March 2003 article in the Philadelphia Magazie
, Sabrina Rubin Erdely suggested that Kinser had confronted the Fisher staffers in a deliberate attempt to increase her public profile.
"Power 50" list of politically influential personalities, where it was noted that her "lobbying talent speaks for itself." In 2010, Politics Magazine named her one of the most influential Democrats in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
lobbyist
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
, where she is the Executive Vice President of S. R. Wojdak & Associates
S. R. Wojdak & Associates
S.R. Wojdak & Associates, LP is a lobbying firm in Pennsylvania.Wojdak & Associates was among the first lobbying firms to bring "contract lobbying" to Harrisburg...
. As a lobbyist for the City of Philadelphia, she is credited with driving legislation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
, including a rental-car and hotel tax, to help fund the construction of sports stadiums and to expand the Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport is a major airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the largest airport in the Delaware Valley region and in Pennsylvania...
. Details of her marriage and subsequent divorce to former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives holds the oldest state-wide elected office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since its first session under the Frame of Government in 1682, presided over by William Penn, over 130 House members have been elevated to the speaker's chair...
Bill DeWeese garnered significant coverage in the media.
Early years and education
A native of Orinda, CaliforniaOrinda, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Orinda had a population of 17,643. The population density was 1,389.5 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Orinda was 14,533 White, 149 African American, 22 Native American, 2,016 Asian, 24 Pacific Islander, 122 from other races, and...
, Kinser's father ran an executive search company. When Kinser was 17, her father became a personnel director for the Reagan White House and she moved with her family to Washington, DC. She took a summer job with the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
, an organization where she worked until she graduated from Scripps College
Scripps College
Scripps College is a progressive liberal arts women's college in Claremont, California, United States. It is a member of the Claremont Colleges. Scripps ranks 3rd for the nation's best women's college, ahead of Barnard College, Mount Holyoke College, and Bryn Mawr College at 23rd on the list for...
, where she majored in history and was the swim team captain. She took a position with International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
, who sent her to Harrisburg in 1990 to open their lobbying office. A year later she began seeing Bill DeWeese socially, and they married in December 1992.
Career in lobbying
In 1992, DeWeese supplanted Robert W. O'DonnellRobert W. O'Donnell
Robert W. O'Donnell is a former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.O'Donnell was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1974. He was the majority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1989–90, and was the speaker from 1990–92...
as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives holds the oldest state-wide elected office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since its first session under the Frame of Government in 1682, presided over by William Penn, over 130 House members have been elevated to the speaker's chair...
and in 1994 Kinser's allies Tom Ridge
Tom Ridge
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives , the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania , Assistant to the President for Homeland Security , and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security...
and Rick Santorum
Rick Santorum
Richard John "Rick" Santorum is a lawyer and a former United States Senator from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Santorum was the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference -making him the third-ranking Senate Republican from 2001 until his leave in 2007. Santorum is considered both a social...
were elected. She then took a position with Greenlee Associates and began lobbying on behalf of Philadelphia and was able to help pass rental-car tax that helped fund the stadiums, the airport expansion funding, and the one percent hotel tax that fuels the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. It was during this time that rumors of a relationship between her and then-Mayor of Philadelphia Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
began. Both Rendell and Kinser deny any impropriety in their relationship.
Kinser and DeWeese separated in 1999. She began seeing Ed Linsley, a manager at Philadelphia Four Seasons Hotel. DeWeese, who was served the divorce papers on the House floor blamed Rendell for the dissolution of his marriage. In 2001, Kinser moved to Chicago and took a job with the small public-relations firm Kemper Lesnick when Linsley was assigned to the Chicago Four Seasons. In June 2002 Kinser sought to return to the Harrisburg lobbying community and DeWeese asked lobbyist Steve Wojdak not to hire Kinser. Later that year, Wojdak hired Kinser; accounts conflict on the specifics of what happened in the earlier meeting and whether Wojdak had actually broken any agreement. DeWeese penned a letter (eventually leaked to PoliticsPA
PoliticsPA
- Content :The website focuses on news aggregation, linking to major political news making headlines across the state. The editors write occasional features, like the weekly "Up & Down" scorecard and one-off lists like "Harrisburg's Smartest Staffer" and "Best Dressed Lobbyist" lists...
and published to wide dissemination) calling Wojdak an "abject, ignoble, mendacious knave." In relatiation, DeWeese sought to keep Wojdak off of the board of the Philadelphia Convention Center Authority
Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is a multi-use public facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which is designed to accommodate conventions, exhibitions, conferences and other events.-History:...
.
During the 2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2002
The Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 2002 was held on November 5, 2002, and included the races for the governor and lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.-Gubernatorial Primaries:Attorney General Mike Fisher ran unopposed for the Republican nomination...
, rumors spread that Republican Mike Fisher's campaign was preparing to air a negative television advertisement discussing her relationship with the Democratic nominee for Governor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
. In two incidents in one evening, Kinser loudly and publicly confronted Fisher's television man, John Brabender
John Brabender
John Brabender is a prominent Republican political consultant.He earned a degree in from Gannon University and an MBA from Cleveland State University....
, and campaign manager, Kent Gates
Kent Gates
Kent Gates is a prominent Pennsylvania Republican political consultant, working with BrabenderCox.He earned a Master's degree from Penn State University....
regarding these rumors, reportedly telling Gates "I hate your guts". In a March 2003 article in the Philadelphia Magazie
Philadelphia (magazine)
Philadelphia is a regional monthly magazine published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Metrocorp....
, Sabrina Rubin Erdely suggested that Kinser had confronted the Fisher staffers in a deliberate attempt to increase her public profile.
Awards and accolades
In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPAPoliticsPA
- Content :The website focuses on news aggregation, linking to major political news making headlines across the state. The editors write occasional features, like the weekly "Up & Down" scorecard and one-off lists like "Harrisburg's Smartest Staffer" and "Best Dressed Lobbyist" lists...
"Power 50" list of politically influential personalities, where it was noted that her "lobbying talent speaks for itself." In 2010, Politics Magazine named her one of the most influential Democrats in Pennsylvania.