Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is well acquainted with the revolving door.
With 88 revolving door connections, Kerry has hired more people who have also lobbied than any other super committee member. Kerry's connections come both from his congressional office and campaigns - including his sprawling presidential campaign. On Capitol Hill, 36 revolving door staffers have worked in his personal office, and another nine have worked under him on Senate committees. His campaign staffers add another 43 revolving door links.
Kerry is one of three Democratic Senators on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or "super committee." LegiStorm has looked at the revolving door ties of all 12 committee members in a three-week series concluding today.
Some of Washington's top lobbyists were among Kerry's campaign staff. David Castagnetti was Kerry's director of congressional operations in the 2004 campaign and went on to become a founding partner of Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, a top lobby shop. Steve Elmendorf, president of Elmendorf Ryan, was Kerry's deputy campaign manager.
Although Kerry has said he will avoid lobbyists while serving on the super committee, it seems likely that his former staffers might have as good a shot as any to get their clients' interests considered.
