Potential DeLeo heir Dempsey cash king of the State House
House budget chief Brian S. Dempsey — considered a potential heir to the speaker’s throne — has already earned a different crown as the chamber’s cash king, with a whopping $550,000 campaign war chest that tops that of every other state rep, including Speaker Robert A. DeLeo.
Dempsey’s political bank account, fueled this year almost entirely by donations from outside his Haverhill district, underscores the power he already wields as chairman of House Ways and Means, where he helps set the priorities of a $39 billion state budget.
But it also highlights his place as an oft-touted successor to DeLeo when the Winthrop Democrat, who successfully moved to eliminate term limits last year, opts to hang it up.
Dempsey has raised nearly $230,000 this year as an unopposed incumbent, including from a cadre of lobbyists, elected officials and others, and in turn, has sprinkled the max $100 donation to at least 14 other House lawmakers from his committee account, records show.
“There’s two models of thinking here: Someone challenges DeLeo (for speaker) — though I don’t see that, at least not this term — and the other scenario is someone succeeding him. And it would be Dempsey,” said Fred Bayles, a Boston University professor and State House watcher.
“He’s being a good soldier. He’s got the biggest account. And to me, it’s an indication he’s biding his time,” Bayles said.
Dempsey, in a statement, said he’s “very happy” with his current role.
“I am completely focused on my responsibilities with the committee, and look forward to the upcoming budget process,” he said.
Any transition of power may not happen soon anyway. Nearing completion of his eighth year as speaker, DeLeo said he’ll seek the role again in January, all but assuring him his fifth two-year term. And his account has remained as active as ever. He paced all lawmakers with $484,696 raised this year, and had $384,247 in the bank as of last month after spending more than $363,000.
“Speaker DeLeo is actively running for re-election in January and is focused on the issues facing the commonwealth for next session,” spokesman Seth Gitell said.
Only Dempsey and Thomas Petrolati, at $400,865, had more on hand than DeLeo in the House. Majority leader Ronald Mariano — who like Dempsey is a close DeLeo confidant — had $353,592 banked, followed by North End state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, who had $245,554.
Dempsey’s $549,972 in cash on hand trails only state Sen. Mark C. Montigny for biggest legislative account, though Montigny, who has $948,500 in the bank, has floated near the $1 million mark for roughly a decade amid past rumors of a potential run for higher office.