Ken Davis
Encyclopedia
Kenneth E. "Ken" Davis is a prominent lobbyist and Republican political figure in Pennsylvania. He is a long-term ally of controversial Republican National Committeeman Bob Asher
, a mainstay in state-wide and Montgomery County Republican politics.
and a Master's degree
in government from American University
. He began his career as a congressional aide to Pennsylvania Senator Hugh Scott
in his Washington, DC office. He later worked as Director of Government Relations for Rohm and Haas
, where he represented the company's interests before various levels of government.
He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, a sub-cabinet board within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
, during the Ridge Administration
. He served on the Private Sector Task Force on Management and Productivity during the Rendell Administration
, where he wrote a study on commercial and economic development policies. He currently serves as a member of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.
He is a lobbyist for Duane Morris
, where he is Managing Director of the firm's government affairs division. Within that position, he specializes in Pennsylvania's gambling law as well as Marcellus Shale issues.
Board of Commissioners. He was considered as a possible Republican nominee for Montgomery County Commissioner, a nomination that went to eventual winner Tom Ellis.
, Davis and Bob Asher
were instrumental in securing decisive support for Jim Matthews as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor on a ticket with Lynn Swann
, Davis' lobbying contract worth $7,500 per month was criticized by District Attorney Bruce Castor as being inappropriate. Davis eventually gave up the contract. However, Castor continued his feud with Jim Matthews and his fellow Commissioner Tom Ellis, and announced his own candidacy for Commissioner in response to Davis' endorsement of the pair. Castor went on to deeat Ellis for the nomination, and won the other seat alongside Matthews. Matthews, however, made a deal with Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel to govern the County, leaving Castor out of the arrangement.
Robert B. Asher
Robert B. "Bob" Asher is an American political figure and businessman and convicted felon from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He is the Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asher’s Chocolates in Pennsylvania and also serves as Pennsylvania's committeeman on the Republican National Committee...
, a mainstay in state-wide and Montgomery County Republican politics.
Education and career
He earned a degree from Moravian CollegeMoravian College
Moravian College a private liberal arts college, and the associated Moravian Theological Seminary are located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States, in the Lehigh Valley region.-History:...
and a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in government from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
. He began his career as a congressional aide to Pennsylvania Senator Hugh Scott
Hugh Scott
Hugh Doggett Scott, Jr. was a politician from Pennsylvania who served in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and who also served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee.- Early life :He was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on November 11, 1900...
in his Washington, DC office. He later worked as Director of Government Relations for Rohm and Haas
Rohm and Haas
Rohm and Haas Company, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based company, manufactures miscellaneous materials. Formerly a Fortune 500 Company, Rohm and Haas employs more than 17,000 people in 27 countries, with its last sales revenue reported as an independent company at USD 8.9 billion. On July 10,...
, where he represented the company's interests before various levels of government.
He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, a sub-cabinet board within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is a cabinet-level state agency in Pennsylvania.The Financially Distressed Municipalities Act , also known as Act 47, empowers the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to declare certain municipalities in...
, during the Ridge Administration
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...
. He served on the Private Sector Task Force on Management and Productivity during the Rendell Administration
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...
, where he wrote a study on commercial and economic development policies. He currently serves as a member of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.
He is a lobbyist for Duane Morris
Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP is a law firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1904 as Duane, Morris, Heckscher & Roberts, the firm has 24 offices in the United States, London, Singapore and Vietnam. In addition to legal services, Duane Morris has independent affiliates employing...
, where he is Managing Director of the firm's government affairs division. Within that position, he specializes in Pennsylvania's gambling law as well as Marcellus Shale issues.
Montgomery County politics
He has served as a 15-year member and president of the Lower Merion Township, PennsylvaniaLower Merion Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Merion Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and part of the Pennsylvania Main Line. As of the 2010 census, the township had a total population of 57,825...
Board of Commissioners. He was considered as a possible Republican nominee for Montgomery County Commissioner, a nomination that went to eventual winner Tom Ellis.
County Republican Party
In 2004, long-time chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, Frank Bartle retired, setting off a heated campaign between Davis and Robert J. Kerns that ended in controversy. Following the initial vote, which Davis won 329 to 328, Kerns alleged that proxy votes were improperly allocated in favor of Davis. Kerns filed a lawsuit in Common Pleas court, where a judge ruled that there were irregularities in the vote, but declined to overturn the result. In 2006, Davis defeated Kerns in a re-match. In 2008, Davis decided not to seek re-election, and returned full-time to his lobbying practice.Support of Jim Matthews
During the early stages of the Republican 2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial electionPennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2006
The Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006, and included the races for the Governor of Pennsylvania and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.Incumbent Governor Ed Rendell, a Democrat, ran for re-election...
, Davis and Bob Asher
Robert B. Asher
Robert B. "Bob" Asher is an American political figure and businessman and convicted felon from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He is the Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asher’s Chocolates in Pennsylvania and also serves as Pennsylvania's committeeman on the Republican National Committee...
were instrumental in securing decisive support for Jim Matthews as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor on a ticket with Lynn Swann
Lynn Swann
-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
Feud with Bruce Castor
During an intra-party primary battle for the Republican Party nomination for Montgomery County CommissionerMontgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
, Davis' lobbying contract worth $7,500 per month was criticized by District Attorney Bruce Castor as being inappropriate. Davis eventually gave up the contract. However, Castor continued his feud with Jim Matthews and his fellow Commissioner Tom Ellis, and announced his own candidacy for Commissioner in response to Davis' endorsement of the pair. Castor went on to deeat Ellis for the nomination, and won the other seat alongside Matthews. Matthews, however, made a deal with Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel to govern the County, leaving Castor out of the arrangement.