Google names new top lobbyist in DC

Former New York Republican Rep. Susan Molinari has been named Google’s top lobbyist in its Washington office, the company has confirmed.

Molinari will be vice president of public policy and government relations for North America and South America, effective in mid-March, according to the Politico newspaper, which first reported the appointment in an article on Feb. 23.

Molinari, who is from Staten Island, first won election to the House of Representatives in a special election in 1990, replacing her father, former Rep. Guy Molinari, who resigned from Congress to become the Staten Island Borough President.

During her tenure from 1990 to 1997, Molinari was elected to the House GOP majority leadership and became the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House.

After leaving Congress, Molinari became co-anchor of CBS News and since has served at several lobbying firms, most recently in her own firm in Washington. She is married to former GOP Rep. William Paxon, who is senior adviser at the Akin Gump law firm.