Michael Donald Brown
Michael Donald Brown (born August 5, 1953) is an American politician serving as the junior United States shadow senator from the District of Columbia, having served since 2007.
Mike Brown | |
|---|---|
| United States Shadow Senator from the District of Columbia | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Florence Pendleton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1953 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (Before 2014, 2017–present) Independent (2014–2017) |
| Education | University of Maryland, College Park (BA, MPP) |
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 Capitol or any of the Senate's office buildings, the District's government provides the position with an office in the John A. Wilson Building. 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 was a member of the Democratic Party, until he changed his party registration to independent in 2014. He re-joined the Democratic Party in 2017.
Brown is known colloquially as "white Mike" to distinguish him from Michael A. Brown, another Washington, D.C. politician who shares the same name. Brown's opponent in one race suggested that some Washingtonians might be voting for Michael D. Brown thinking they were voting for Michael A. Brown; Michael D. Brown strenuously denied this possibility.