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The Realignment of a Rising Star
Councilwoman, congresswoman, journalist, mother and lobbyist toys with a return

By James Caldwell

For former Rep. Susan Molinari (R-Staten Island), politics has always been in the family.

Her grandfather, S. Robert Molinari, served a term in the Assembly from 1943 to 1944, and her father, Guy Molinari, served in the House from 1980 to 1990, resigning following his election as Staten Island borough president in 1989.

When Molinari won a City Council seat in 1985, she was the youngest ever elected to the body. In 1990, she won a special election for the House seat her father had just vacated.

Once in Congress, Molinari rose steadily. In 1996, she delivered the keynote address at the Republican National Convention, a spot generally given to a person the party wants to highlight.

Then, at the height of her career and with her political future bright, she quit.

“I think when I look back after 10 years I’m in awe of the places the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn allowed me to go on their behalf,” she said. “I think in many ways I was, fortunately, too young to be awed by the responsibility I was given so early.”

She said she wanted to spend more time with her husband, fellow New York Rep. Bill Paxon (R-Buffalo), and their newborn daughter. She joined CBS news as co-anchor of their Saturday morning news program. The move stunned Washington Republicans and ended a political ascendancy many viewed as inevitable.

She lasted less than a year, with falling ratings throughout and dissatisfaction on her part with the format. She turned to lobbying, working at several firms before starting her own, which she then left to become president and CEO of The Washington Group. She focuses on transportation, healthcare, and funding for the Louisiana Recovery Authority.

She lives in Northern Virginia with husband Paxon and their two daughters, ages 7 and 10.

Having grown up in a political household, Molinari was no stranger to the life of a politician. However, when the responsibilities of elected office began to interfere with what she wanted out of family life, Molinari said she knew it was time to quit.

“There are people who make it work, but it wasn’t where I wanted to be,” she said. “I felt that tension and wanted to go out at the top of my game.”

Of her somewhat controversial time at CBS, Molinari said the experience was educational, if not a sound career move. Overall, she said her attempt at objective journalism made her realize how much she missed politics.

“I remember one election night, my dad was with Mayor Giuliani, my husband was at the NRCC, and because I worked for CBS, I was alone,” she said. “I couldn’t be in the mix of it, and I really missed it.”

In contrast to her move from politics to journalism, Molinari said the transition to lobbying was a smooth one.

“It’s so natural,” she said. “Obviously, as an elected official you are a lobbyist on behalf of the people of your district, and you really take away a gut skill set.”

Whether she will be satisfied to effect change from outside the political arena is another question. The once rising star is not hiding a possible return.

“Certainly I would not say no to looking at political positions in the future – maybe something in the Giuliani Administration,” she said, laughing. “I’m never going to be far away from politics."