Top Williams Lobbyist to Resign

Official Has Been Link Between Mayor, Council on Stadium

District Mayor Anthony A. Williams's chief lobbyist announced his resignation yesterday, leaving the mayor to push an ambitious agenda during his final days in office without his most experienced liaison to the D.C. Council and the U.S. Congress.

Gregory M. McCarthy, the mayor's deputy chief of staff for policy and legislative affairs, said he is leaving his high-pressure post to spend more time with his parents and to plot the next step in his professional life. His last day will be Feb. 24.

"From the bottom of my heart, I'm leaving because I just have to focus on some new challenges," McCarthy said. "There's no other story there."

McCarthy's resignation marks the fourth high-level departure from Williams's administration since the mayor said in September that he would not seek a third term. Others were Neil O. Albert, a deputy mayor; Martha B. Knisley, director of the District's mental health agency; and Andrew Altman, head of the Anacostia Waterfront Corp.

In a written statement, Williams (D) called McCarthy the Clinton Portis of his administration, a reference to the Redskins' workhorse running back.

"Gregory had a hand in every significant accomplishment of my administration," Williams said. "He was professional, hard-working and diplomatic at every turn and we'll sorely miss him."

In recent weeks, Williams has acknowledged that the departures are likely to accelerate as his time in office grows shorter, making it increasingly difficult to get things done. McCarthy's loss is particularly "devastating," said council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5), because it comes at a time when the mayor faces tough battles with the council over a new baseball stadium, a new downtown library and other development projects.

"Gregory has been the communications link between the council members and the mayor. I'm not sure there's any other person in the administration that can really fill that void right now," Orange said.

McCarthy, 44, has been with the mayor since he won election in 1998 and served first on his transition team. McCarthy said he fully expects to win council approval for a controversial stadium lease with Major League Baseball before he leaves. As for the rest of the mayor's agenda, McCarthy said he expects Williams to "carry on with much aplomb and success."

"I think he's a real visionary and a real profile in courage," McCarthy said. "I feel extremely proud of what he's accomplished."