Who is Tony Carbo from In the Lake of the Woods and what is their importance?

Tony Carbo is the campaign manager for John Wade from his first federal seat through the election that he lost so miserably. Tony is somewhat overweight and refers to himself as a "pig," but seems in touch with the ins and outs of the political arena. After John's concession speech, Tony says that he could have left the campaign a month earlier after it was obvious that John would lose, but says that he had stayed because he was lovesick over Kathy.