Telecom Lawmakers Lose Hill Jobs
Among Republicans defeated in Tues.’s election were several who made a mark on the telecom business, such as Sens. Santorum (Pa.) and DeWine (O.), and one of the most familiar telecom players on the Hill, Sen. Burns (Mont.), might be joining them. Burns’ opponent, populist farmer Jon Tester, declared victory in the tight race Wed. although Burns’ camp hadn’t conceded by our deadline. Also locked in a tight race, and facing possible recount: Sen. Allen (R- Va.) who’s running against former Navy Secy. Jim Webb. Webb began calling himself the Sen.-elect Wed. but Allen didn’t concede.
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Santorum, who fell to state Treas. Bob Casey, has been active on telecom issues and played a role in repealing the federal excise tax on telephone calls. Telco lobbyists said his exit is a loss for the industry.
DeWine lost to Rep. Brown (D-O.), who was a member of the House Commerce Committee. DeWine is chmn. of the Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust Subcommittee, which held a hearing on the AT&T-BellSouth merger earlier this year.
Rep. Hostettler (R-Ind.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, lost to Brad Ellsworth, a conservative Democrat.
Rep. Bass (R-N.H.), who lost his bid for a 7th term to lawyer Paul Hodes, is a member of the House Commerce Committee with an interest in retransmission consent. He co- authored a failed plan to address cable concerns.
Reps. Wilson (R-N.M.) and Cubin (R-Wyo.), both on the House Commerce Committee, were in tight races with the outcomes uncertain at our deadline. Wilson’s race against N.M. Attorney Gen. Patricia Madrid was deemed too close to call and Cubin declared victory but her opponent, Internet entrepreneur Gary Trauner, didn’t concede by our deadline.
The races being fought by Burns and Allen were expected to decide control of the Senate because if both Republicans fail, Democrats will have a 51-49 margin. Burns, a long-time member of the Senate Commerce Committee who was Communications Subcommittee chmn., is considered a friend to broadcasters and an expert on Universal Service Fund issues. At our deadline, with 99% of the votes counted, Burns lagged by 3,128 votes. Allen, also on the Commerce Committee, has introduced several telecom bills, including ones addressing wireless network technology, the Internet tax moratorium and white spaces. With 99% of the precincts reporting, Webb led Allen by about 6,700 votes.