Shadow Politics
Shadow Politics is a grass roots talk show giving a voice to the voiceless. For more than 200 years the people of the Nation's Capital have ironically been excluded from the national political conversation. With no voting member of either house of Congress, Washingtonians have lacked the representation they need to be equal and to have their voices heard. Shadow Politics will provide a platform for them, as well as the millions of others nationwide who feel politically disenfranchised and disconnected, to be included in a national dialog.
We need to start a new conversation in America, one that is more inclusive and diverse and one that will lead our great nation forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century. At Shadow Politics, we hope to get this conversation started by bringing Americans together to talk about issues important to them. We look forward to having you be part of the discussion so call in and join the conversation. America is calling and we're listening… Shadow Politics is about America hearing what you have to say. It's your chance to talk to an elected official who has spent more than 30 years in Washington politics. We believe that if we start a dialog and others add their voices we will create a chorus. Even if those other politicians in Washington don't hear you — Senator Brown will. He's on a mission to listen to what America has to say and use it to start a productive dialog to make our democracy stronger and more inclusive. If we are all part of the solution we can solve any problem.
Guest, Patrick Mara
Patrick is a consultant specializing in political campaigns, advocacy and small business development. He previously served as the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Republican Committee, America’s only fully urban state GOP organization. The first Republican ever elected to the DC State Board of Education, Patrick represented Washington, DC’s, most racially diverse ward for a full four year term.
A staunch advocate for parental choice in education, he was the Board’s sole representative to the National Association of State Boards of Education’s Government Affairs Committee where he helped shape national education policy. Long active in politics, Patrick ran for DC Council and served as an Alternate Delegate (2008) and Delegate (2012) at two Republican National Conventions. With over two decades of campaign experience, Patrick has worked and volunteered on dozens of campaigns at the local, state, Congressional and Presidential levels. Earlier in his career Patrick worked on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator; at the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as a contractor; and later lobbied both the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal government on behalf of technology, education and energy clients.
Patrick currently serves on the Washington Latin Public Charter School Board of Governors which is among DC’s highest performing schools. Before earning an entrepreneurship-focused MBA from Babson College, Patrick graduated from Marist College with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Political Science. He is past President of the Marist College Alumni Executive Board and past Board of Trustees alumni representative. Patrick and his wife live in the Randle Highlands neighborhood of Washington, DC with their two young sons.
