By Madison Russ
PLCA Intern
CAPITOL WIRE: Katie McGinty stepped down as Gov. Tom Wolf’s chief of staff amidst rumors of a potential bid for the United States Senate.
“I step up here today with great joy and for being grateful for what will be, forever, a highlight of my career,” McGinty said of her departure from the administration during a Thursday press conference.
Describing Wolf as a person with “incredible vision and integrity,” McGinty said she is “very, very grateful for the opportunity” to have worked with him.
Wolf praised his former gubernatorial competitor for her service to the administration over the last six-months and that he has been “impressed” by her work.
“She has other things she wants to do with her life, I respect that, but we’ll miss her,” said Wolf.
Despite persistent rumors she will be running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, McGinty defelcted questions about campaigning, but made a vague suggestion to “stay tuned” for announcements in the near future.
Later, when asked why she was resigning, she stated, “I am resigning in order to give due and appropriate consideration to potentially a U.S. Senate run, potentially other public service.”
However, she said she preferred to return everyone’s focus to current events.
“Today is really about being thankful for the opportunity I’ve had here and about welcoming Mary to her role,” McGinty said
During the press conference, Wolf announced his secretary of legislative affairs, Mary Isenhour, would “succeed” McGinty as his chief of staff.
“She has done a great job building relationships with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and the House, over the last six months.” Wolf said of Isenhour’s work in the administration. “She really understands how the politics of this place works.”
Isenhour thanked McGinty on “behalf of all the staff” for her leadership and said she hoped to build on the work already done by McGinty.
Of her replacement, McGinty said, “Mary has been a friend, she’s been a leader, she’s a spark, she’s positive energy, she’s a joy in and around our team, and I know, governor, working with you she will do incredibly important things in helping you drive this state forward.”
Legislative reaction to Wolf’s announcements were mixed.
House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin sounded the regular criticism, from the conservative corners of the Capitol, of McGinty: that she seemed to always be in campaign mode, which made it difficult to discuss or negotiate with the Wolf administration.
Miskin’s take on McGinty’s successor was different, and in a good way.
“She has done a tremendous job since the transition in meeting with legislators, meeting with the leaders and working through issues and problems, as well as trying to understand concerns and different stances,” Miskin said of Isenhour. “She’s a very good choice.”
With the budget impasse nearing its fourth week, the question of McGinty’s departure potentially impacting current budget negotiations came up often during Wolf new conference.
“I think the budget negotiations are moving forward,” Wolf said, describing the current situation. “We’ve had some good, productive meetings and I hope to continue to have those meetings.”
“In Mary, I think I found someone who will continue this strong teamwork dynamic that we’ve had,” he added.
But, from the Senate Republicans’ perspective, they’re hoping for a bit of a change, and that more progress will be made with Isenhour stepping in.
“She’s proven to be easier to work with,” said Senate GOP spokeswoman Jenn Kocher.“We think that she’ll truly be acting on the best interest of what the Governor wants, as opposed to her personal agenda.”
Kocher said in general, they’ve viewed McGinty as “ineffective.”
The view of Thursday’s events was less hopeful from Drew Crompton, chief of staff and legal counsel to Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.
“Katie McGinty was named with great fanfare by Gov. Wolf to be his chief of staff. She leaves with no accomplishments except a legacy of hardened feelings,” wrote Crompton in an email. “Mary has shown a willingness to be accessible; however with today’s announcement I think Gov. Wolf is truly signaling his intention on continuing his campaign mentality.”
McGinty certainly didn’t win any points, for herself or the administration, with Senate Republicans following her comments during May’s Pennsylvania Press Club. Talking about the pension reform plan passed by the Senate, she accused those who voted for the bill of “lining their own retirement pockets.”
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Capitowlire Bureau Chief Chris Comisac contributed to this story.
