Over the past 33 years Senator Brown has been involved in many national and local political campaigns, including six Presidential campaigns. He has also been involved in the past ten consecutive Democratic National Conventions including being an Obama super-delegate in 2008 and 2012. Last November he was reelected with 207,000 votes, that's more votes than eight other United States Senators who are now serving in congress. In addition, he was on the staff of the Democratic National Committee and was a community activists and neighborhood commissioner in his hometown of Washington, DC. Senator Brown is a graduate of the University of Maryland. In 2008 Barack Obama said that, Even without a vote, Senator Brown has always been a strong advocate for the rights of DC residents. As a shadow senator, Brown receives no pay from the government, receives no budget from the government, and cannot vote on matters before the Senate. While he does not have an office in the United States Senate, the Government of the District provides him with an office in City Hall. His office is totally funded by contributions from DC taxpayers. Brown lobbies the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives on behalf of the citizens of the District in their attempt to gain full representation in Congress, self-determination, and eventually admittance to the union as a state. As shadow senator, Brown also works with the District's delegate, mayor, and council to advance the interest of local residents on Federal issues. Brown is a member of the Democratic Party.