Johnny Business

During Adrian M. Fenty's two-year campaign for mayor, one of his top behind-the-scenes operators was John Falcicchio, a 27-year-old fundraiser who helped twist enough arms that the Fenty team took in $3.8.million, a mayoral record.

Now, Falcicchio has been dispatched to help raise money for Fenty's hand-picked candidate to replace him as the council's Ward 4 representative: Muriel Bowser.

Bowser will officially kick off her campaign with a fundraiser tonight at the home of William Lightfoot, the former D.C. Council member who also helped Fenty's campaign and served as co-chairman of his transition and inauguration. A special election is slated for late spring to fill the open seats in Wards 4 and 7, which was vacated when Vincent C. Gray (D) was elected council chairman.

Falcicchio is a tireless worker who could be found at Fenty's campaign headquarters well into the night. Fenty once referred to him as the "Karl Rove" of his campaign.

He joined Fenty's camp in 2003, when Fenty was running for re-election to the D.C. Council, and has stayed with Fenty since, with the exception of a few months working for Howard Dean during the 2004 presidential election. It was during that time with Dean that Falcicchio earned the nickname "Johnny Business," for his ability to stay focused on task during endless field work.

Falcicchio said he doesn't know what he'll do in the future, though he said he likes Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and would consider working on a campaign for the 2008 presidential election.

As for his more immediate plans after the Bowser campaign?

"Probably take a vacation," he said with a laugh.

By David Nakamura |  January 18, 2007; 8:00 AM ET
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