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Published Tuesday, March 3, 2009 | 10:54 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, March 3, 2009 | 10:54 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- Former Republican Rep. Jon Porter has taken a job as director of public policy in the Washington office of Akerman Senterfitt, a lobbying and government affairs shop that specializes in several issues familiar to Nevadans.
Porter lost his re-election bid for a fourth term representing the Henderson-area district to Democratic Rep. Dina Titus last fall. The former congressman is often mentioned as a likely opponent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2010.
Porter will take the post at the firm that counts gaming, water and energy policy among its specialties. It also deals in health care, insurance and transportation -- issues that were at the forefront of Porter’s work in Congress.
In announcing the hire this morning, the firm noted Porter’s background as a “public figure who is well known for his bipartisan negotiating skills, as well as his expertise in the areas of taxes, health care, transportation and education.” The firm said he looks forward to representing Nevada clients in Washington.
There's something about the announcement of Jon Porter's position that doesn't ring true. He was only in Congress for 6 years. That's a not enough time in terms of building up the network of contacts needed to be a "super lobbyist".
The RJ's description of the lobbying firm Akerman Senterfitt says that it is a huge, multistate organization with many, many lobbyist employees.
All of the foregoing leads me to scratch my head in wonder that such an organization would give Jon Porter the title "Director of Public Policy". It sounds too important for an unimpressive three term Congressman with no family money behind him.
Jon Porter didn't exactly light up the House when he was a member of the organization. Most lobbying firms put out self-ingratiating propaganda about themselves, and this sounds like it. I agree with the old coot lawyer.
Jon Porter was our almost nonexistant congressman in Washington. He basically was a political hack and puppet of G W Bush. What did he really do for Nevada as our Congressman? I can think of nothing, but I do recall that shortly after he took office he had major ear surgery at Bethesda Naval Hopsital, all courtesy of us, the taxpayers. Yet, he refused to call for any kind of improvement in health care for all citizens or even military veterans.
I can understand why he wants to be a lobbyist...he was only intersted in the money in the first place. He now has a nice pension from Congress, health care insurance that carries over, and a political name (worthless to me, but may be of value to him)
Porter has cut and run and cashed out- just like I said he would, and I don't want to be one to say "I told you so" - but, I TOLD YOU SO - HA!