The Wolves of K Street Podcast

John Leganski had a behind-the-scenes view of the epic battle for House Speaker when he worked as a top aide to Kevin McCarthy. In his new book, “Glory, Grief and the Gavel,” Leganski takes readers inside the tumultuous days that lead to McCarthy’s victory. In this edition, Leganski tells us all about his book -- and what it takes to win the most arduous election in American politics.

Riva Levinson joins us to talk about the 10-year anniversary of her book, “Choosing the Hero.” In our interview, Levinson tells us about her memorable start in Washington at the infamous lobbying firm Black, Manafort & Stone. There she first met met Paul Manafort and Roger Stone – and she shares some stories you won’t want to miss…

Super PACs have given billionaires unprecedented control over U.S. elections. A little over a decade ago, the wealthiest Americans contributed just 0.3 percent of the money in American elections. Today, billionaires account for 20 percent of the money. Harvard Professors and campaign-finance lawyer Larry Lessig joins us to talk about how to change that. Lessig also says the Supreme Court’s infamous Citizens United decision did not create super PACs – but a different, little-known case that he is now trying to overturn.

Chris Jones joins us to talk about efforts by smaller companies to use antitrust policy in Washington to create more competitive markets. Jones runs a lobbying firm and an industry association that are together working to advocate for people and companies on the wrong side of the erosion of antitrust laws, including independent grocery stores, community pharmacists, farmers, and small businesses. He says that most lobbying firms will not take on these fights because the clients they want to land are the same dominant players whose market power is at issue.

Bloomberg reporter Ted Mann tells us how J.D. Vance’s efforts to enact new  railroad safety regulations shows how he is positioning himself for the 2028 presidential election. Despite the opposition of most Republicans in Congress, Vance is trying to enact a sweeping package of regulations that he believes will make the railroad industry safer. Why is Vance trying to impose new regulations on a major Republican friendly industry? Ted Mann tells us.