List of ''The West Wing'' politicians

The following is a list of fictional political figures that have appeared or been mentioned in the television program The West Wing.

Federal government of the United States

Executive branch

The President's Cabinet

  • President
  • Vice President
    • John Hoynes — Tim Matheson (Seasons 1–4 and appearances in Season 5, 6 and 7): President Bartlet's rival for the 1998 Democratic presidential nomination, his running mate, and first vice president. Resigned from office while under fire for leaking classified material to a woman he was having an affair with. Candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 2006 election.
    • Robert 'Bob' Russell — Gary Cole (Seasons 5–7): President Bartlet's vice president after the resignation of John Hoynes and a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 2006 election.
  • Secretary of State
    • Lewis Berryhill — William Devane (Seasons 4–7): Was nearly nominated by President Bartlet for the office of vice president after John Hoynes' resignation.
  • Secretary of the Treasury
    • Ken Kato — Conrad Bachmann (Ep. 1.21)
    • Karen Browning — Marcie Lynn Ross (Ep. 6.03)
  • Secretary of Defense
    • Miles Hutchinson — Steve Ryan (Seasons 4–7). Often disagreed, loudly and at length, with the policy decisions of President Bartlet, whom it was strongly implied the SECDEF did not respect because the President never served in the military.
  • Attorney General
    • Dan Larson — Sherry Houston (Ep. 1.21)
    • Alan Fisk — Dylan Baker (Ep. 5.9). Got in trouble with the Administration for trying to use the Drug Enforcement Administration to prosecute physicians assisting with legal euthanasia in Oregon, with Leo bluntly telling AG Fisk that A) he knew this was connected to Fisk's post-AG political plans in Mississippi and B) he could either cut it out permanently or get publicly fired.
  • Secretary of the Interior
    • Bill Horton — Edmund L. Shaff (Ep. 3.03)
  • Secretary of Agriculture
    • Roger Tribbey — Harry Groener (Ep. 1.12; 4.23). The Cabinet member who was the designated survivor to stay at the White House during the Season 1 State of the Union address, a precaution taken so the government would have a point of continuity to re-form if some kind of catastrophe killed the President and everyone else during the event.
  • Secretary of Commerce
    • Mitch Bryce — Alan Dale (Ep. 4.01; 4.02; 4.23)
  • Secretary of Labor
    • Carl Reed (Ep. 3.04; 3.08)
    • Jack Buckland
  • Secretary of Health and Human Services[1]
    • Blieden (Ep. 7.12)
  • Secretary of Education[1] (Ep. 2.08; 2.10; 4.06; 5.08)
    • Jim Kane (Ep. 7.20)
  • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
    • Deborah O'Leary — CCH Pounder (Ep. 1.15). Had a public row with a Republican Congressman who loathed HUD and was probably racist, but Leo still made her apologize publicly for making her views so audibly public.
    • Bill Fisher — Jim Jansen (Ep. 3.17)
    • Unnamed — ("Twenty Five")
  • Secretary of Transportation
    • Jill Keaton, (Season 4)
  • Secretary of Energy
    • Ben Zaharian (Ep. 2.10)
    • Bill Trotter (Ep. 2.17; 2.18)
    • Gerald Deloit — Terry Bozeman (Ep. 6.04)
  • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    • Jason Weaver — (Season 4)

Other executive branch officials

  • Theodore Barrow — Ron Canada: Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. A North Korea specialist who often seemed to be advocating more for Pyongyang's interests than Washington, most notably when he wanted to allow North Korea to capture several stranded U.S. airmen instead of rescuing them (he was overruled).
  • Jeff Breckenridge — Carl Lumbly: Bartlet's original nominee for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Worked for Josh's late father Noah, whom he called a "great man", but made Josh uncomfortable with his staunch support for a movement to provide reparations to African-Americans over the massive costs of slavery.
  • Martin Connelly: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division at the Justice Department, working on the lawsuit against the tobacco companies. His view, that tobacco companies "perpetrated a fraud against the American people", resonate very strongly with Josh Lyman in Season 2.
  • Lesley Cryer: Bartlet's recess nominee for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
  • Bob Slattery — Thomas Kopache: Assistant Secretary of State (Ep. 3.5; 3.15; 3.20; 3.21; 3.22; 4.3; 4.5; 4.8; 4.14; 4.17; 5.1; 5.13; 7.4; 7.5)
  • Albie Duncan — Hal Holbrook: Assistant Secretary of State (Ep. 3.7; 4.6). A brilliant, cranky, and voluble State Department fixture who is the last of the old-time Republicans who had formerly dominated Foggy Bottom.
  • James Elkins: Bartlet's recess nominee for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation
  • Hal Garreth: Administrator of the FAA
  • Dr. Millicent Griffith — Mary Kay Place: Surgeon General. Causes a furor when she says marijuana should be decriminalized, making it seem like she will be forced to resign or fired until President Bartlet says that she's not going anywhere. She later takes command of treating his MS attack in Season 6.
  • Gerald Wegland: Assistant Secretary of Energy
  • Edwin Kelwick — David Grant Wright: Administrator of NASA
Spokesmen
  • Donald Morales: Spokesman for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • Tad Whitney – Colm Feore: State Department Spokesman. He applied for White House deputy press secretary but C.J. (who had had a fling with him years ago) chose Simon Glazer instead.
  • Gary Saunders: Deputy Spokesman for the Department of Energy.

Former Presidents of the United States

Legislative branch

House of Representatives

Leadership
  • Speaker of the House
    • Jim Hohner (R-Illinois), 1997–2001
    • Glen Allen Walken - John Goodman (R-Missouri), 2001–2003
    • Jeff Haffley - Steven Culp (R-Washington), 2003–2007. Speaker of the House who runs up a lot of victories over the post-25th Amendment Bartlet Admin in Season 5, but overplays his hand by maneuvering an about face on Bartlet, leading to a government shutdown and is less powerful afterwards.
    • Mark B. Sellner - John Getz (D), 2007–. Elected new Speaker during the incoming Santos administration in Season 7. Seen as more moderate than President Matt Santos but has a fair and direct speaking style.
Members
Democrats
  • Rep. "Arkansas" (D-Arkansas) — Nathan Burgess: Young, pro-life Democrat, conflicted over stem cell research. Resident of Pine Bluff, making him representative for the Arkansas's 4th congressional district (6.17)
  • Rep. Will Bailey (D-Oregon) : After running against John Heffinger for the seat in 2008, Will is successful in capturing the seat. Serves as a backbencher of the House Committee on Ways and Means
  • Rep. John Baxley (D) (Season 4)
  • Rep. Benoit (D) (Ep 6.3): A gay Democrat, wanted to introduce a bill to ban all marriage by government officers to end the gay marriage debate.
  • Rep. Bill (D) — John Bennett Perry
  • Rep. Blinken (Ep. 7.18)
  • Rep. Sue Borden (D) (Ep 6.1): Voted for the resolution calling on President Bartlet to act against the Palestinians after the Gaza attack. Josh says she's in a tough race with a "knuckle dragging" district attorney from Lake Forest.
  • Rep. Earl Brennan (D-Connecticut): Josh Lyman used to work for him.
  • Rep. Olivia Buckland (D-Indiana)- Wife of Governor Jack Buckland. Her infant mortality bill was kept in committee by the White House..
  • Rep. Raymond Burns (D) — Austin Tichenor. (Ep. 1.12)
  • Rep. Calhoun (D) — Joe O'Connor. (Ep. 1.17; 3.10)
  • Rep. Carney. (Ep. 7.18)
  • Rep. Bertram Coles (D-South Carolina): A conservative Democrat who threatened President Bartlet. His Congressional District is the 5th, which includes East Chester County, Lofton and Cromwell Air Force Base. His state is not clear, but it could suggest South Carolina, with a "Chester County" in the 5th (even though there's no Air Force Base at all; there's a city called "Bluffton", but in the 2nd district).(1.03)
  • Rep. Harry Conroy (D-North Dakota).
  • Rep. Eileen Davis (D-New Jersey) Wants to run for governor and president.
  • Rep. Delany (D-Delaware) (Ep. 4.8): Shown as the winner on Election Night TV broadcasts. Defeated Robertson (R) in 2002.
  • Rep. Sheila Fields (D): Minority Leader, 1999–2007. She has presidential ambitions for 2006 and is one of many congressional Democrats who breaks with Bartlet during the Gaza Crisis.
  • Rep. Tim Fields (D-Texas) Candidate for Speaker of the House after the 2006 Elections. Mentor and friend of President-elect Santos, represents a district that neighbours Santos' 18th District (most likely the 9th or 29th). Liberal.
  • Rep. Diane Frost (D): On the Haffley's list for suggested candidates for vice president, far-left and lesbian. Considered a "serious name" by Will Bailey and Senator Triplehorn, but considered too liberal by Toby and Josh.
  • Rep. Carol Gelsey (D-Florida) (Season 7): Candidate to replace Leo McGarry as vice president, Josh says she's second choice after Eric Baker. Six-term congresswoman and longtime member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, has bipartisan support in her district. Ran for governor in 1996 (and almost certainly lost to Robert Ritchie), but had 63% favorability in her state in 2006.
  • Rep. Goldman (D-Louisiana): Defeats Attie in Louisiana's 7th Congressional District in 2002.
  • Rep. Hammond (D-Colorado). (7.01)
  • Rep. Inboden (D-Mississippi) Reelected in Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District in 2002 over Davis (R) by 12 points.
  • Rep. Hootstein (D-Louisiana) (Ep.4.8): Shown as winner of the Louisiana 3rd race on Election Night TV broadcasts. Defeated Mybell (R) in 2002.
  • Rep. Hark (D). (Ep. 1.16)
  • Rep. Jennsen (D). (Ep. 1.16)
  • Rep. Janet (D-California). (Ep. 4.04) Second name unknown, friendly with Sam Seaborn. The third-ranking female Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee.
  • Rep. Katzenmoyer (D-Wisconsin) — Mark Blum (Ep. 1.4): Won a close re-election campaign. His district includes Eau Claire. This would make him the representative from the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District.
  • Rep. John Kimball (D-Tennessee) — Cliff De Young.
  • Rep. Karen Kroft (D-Michigan) — Lucinda Jenney: Won her rural district by 82 votes in 2000, lost her 2002 reelection by 127 votes. Lost her seat in the 2002 election mainly because she proposed a massive gas tax when Toby Ziegler asked her if she would do so. She was up for director of the National Park Service, until it was discovered that the position was Senate confirmable, but told a remorseful Toby she did what she felt was right and would do it again. (Ep. 4.09)
  • Rep. LeBrandt (D). (Ep. 1.4)
  • Rep. Jim Marino (D-Ohio) (Season 7): Longshot candidate for Speaker of the House whom President-elect Santos considers supporting. Wins reelection in 2006 over Republican Challenger Peck 61% to 36%. Represents the 17th District.
  • Rep. Maxwell (D-Michigan): Elected to the 2nd District in 2002.
  • Rep. McKenna (D).
  • Rep. Newhouse (D-Illinois).
  • Rep. Neonakis (D-Alabama): Defeats Miller in the 7th District by 37%.
  • Rep. O'Bannon (D). (Ep. 1.4)
  • Rep. Pratt (D) — Ronne Troup. (Ep. 1.12)
  • Rep. Becky Reeseman (D-Michigan) — Amy Aquino (Ep. 1.17): Attempted to add a child labor amendment to a tariff bill supported by the White House after the First Lady did a television interview condemning child labor worldwide. She was talked out of it when the First Lady promised the President's support if she ran for the US Senate from Michigan.
  • Rep. Mark Richardson (D-New York) — Thom Barry (Ep. 1.4; 3.4; 4.19): Leader of the Congressional Black Caucus. Toby Ziegler's Congressman, represents part of Brooklyn.
  • Rep. Robert Russell (D-Colorado) — Gary Cole (Seasons 5–6): Appointed Vice-President (see The President's Cabinet, above) to succeed John Hoynes.
  • Rep. Reed (D-Tennessee): Reelected over Vasquez (R) by 24% in the 8th district.
  • Rep. Richard Rollins (D-Tennessee).
  • Rep. Grant Samuels (D) (Ep. 2.3): Died of pneumonia.
  • Rep. Mike Satchel (D-Oregon) — Andrew Buckley (Ep. 1.19): Met with Sam and Toby over the issue of gays in the military.
  • Rep. Matt Santos (D-Texas) — Jimmy Smits: Democratic candidate for president in 2006 (Seasons 6–7). Succeeds Josiah Bartlet as President of the United States. (Season 7).
  • Rep. Schriebman (Ep. 7.18) A Blue Dog.
  • Rep. Len Segal (D) — Bill Birch.
  • Rep. Mark B. Sellner (D) — John Getz: Leading candidate for Speaker of the House following the 2006 elections. Elected Speaker of the House. More moderate than Santos, supports school vouchers and tort reform and opposes lobbying reforms. He represents the Massachusetts 4th.
  • Rep. Simmell (D) — George Wyner.
  • Rep. Sind (D-Massachusetts) (Ep.4.8): Defeated Handelman (R) in 2002.
  • Rep. Nate Singer (D): A prominent Blue Dog Democrat.
  • Rep. Neil Spencer (D-Hawaii): Helped with an agriculture bill. Represents Honolulu.
  • Rep. John Tandy (D-Florida) — Brian Baker. Represents the Florida 20th. Pro-choice and liberal, but facing a primary challenge from Nan Lieberman. Briefly dated Amy Gardner.
  • Rep. Thiele (D-Rhode Island) — Christopher Cousins: Refuses to vote for the nomination of Bob Russell as vice president, becoming the only member of Congress to do so. A former intern for Roland Pierce, he shows up Josh in front of Ryan when Josh tries to talk him into voting for Russell. Is finally coerced by Ryan.
  • Rep. Cal Tillinghouse (D-Texas) — Michael McGuire (Ep. 1.4): A moderate Democrat and strong proponent of gun rights.
  • Rep. Howard Van Gelt (D-North Carolina): House Minority Whip. Defeated in 2002 by Brett Logan by 3%. Melanie Sanders (I) received 1%.
  • Rep. Velasquez (D-Rhode Island): Elected in 2006, Rhode Island's first Hispanic congressman.
  • Rep. Bud Wachtell (D) James Eckhouse: A moderate Democrat.
  • Rep. Harry Wade (D) — Fred Ornstein.
  • Rep. Wallingford (D-Colorado). (Ep. 7.01)
  • Rep. Wexler (D-Connecticut): Retired in 2006. The DCCC suggested Josh Lyman run for his seat.
  • Rep. Christopher Wick (D) — Jay Underwood (Ep. 1.4): Friend of Josh Lyman's from college.
  • Rep. Janice Willis (D-Ohio) — (Ep. 1.6): Deceased representative who was replaced by her husband, Joe Willis.
  • Rep. Joe Willis (D-Ohio) — Al Fann (Ep. 1.6): Temporarily replacing his wife, who died in office. Prior to this, he is an eighth-grade social studies teacher.
  • Rep. Woodside (D-Alaska): Reelected with 63% of the vote in 2006. Defeats Gately (R).
  • Rep. Andrea 'Andie' Wyatt (D-Maryland) — Kathleen York (Seasons 1–7): Ex-wife of Toby Ziegler and mother of their twins, Huck and Molly. Senior Member of the House Foreign Relations Committee. Survived bombing in "Gaza."
  • Rep. Zelowsky (D-Maine): Elected in 2006 in Maine's 2nd District.
Republicans
  • Rep. Arlauskas (R)
  • Rep. Jim Arkin (R-Idaho) House Majority Whip, 2003–2007
  • Rep. Bentley (R)
  • Rep. Broderick (R-Texas)
  • Rep. Joseph Bruno (R-Pennsylvania) — James Handy (Ep. 1.13; 3.10): Apparently a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and chairman of the committee investigating President Bartlet's concealment of his multiple sclerosis. Is called "a reasonable guy" by Leo McGarry and appears to be a moderate Republican. He twice shuts down hearings that could have permanently destroyed the careers of Josh, Sam and Leo in exchange for lesser punishments (the shelving of a major Department of Health and Human Services report that advocated teaching about sexual topics besides abstinence, and President Bartlet accepting a humiliating public censure over hiding his MS).
  • Rep. Buchanan (R-Virginia) (Season 3)
  • Rep. Cahn (R-Ohio): Defeats Jones in Ohio's 6th Congressional District in 2002.
  • Rep. Cameron (R) (Ep. 1.16)
  • Rep. Ken Campbell (R-New Hampshire): Mentioned in "Abu Al Banat" as a congressman in New Hampshire's 1st District who is retiring due to medical issues; Doug Westin runs for his seat.
  • Rep. John Connally III (R-Texas): House Majority Leader, 2003–2007, House Minority Whip, 2007–, together with Haffley and Mitchell, they form the "unholy trinity" Josh Lyman refers to in Season 5.
  • Rep. Tawny Cryer (R): A critic of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), clashes with Toby over funding for the program. Eventually compromises to keep NEA funding in return for the sacking of its controversial head, Oakenwood. (Ep 3.6)
  • Rep. Dade (R) (Season 2)
  • Rep. Paul Dearborn (R-Utah) — Steven Gilborn
  • Rep. Daniel DeSantos: Killed in roadside bombing of Congressional delegation in Gaza(Ep. 5.21)
  • Rep. Pete Didion (R-Texas) Representative of the Texas 23rd district, sits on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, described by Bartlet as a "good guy" (Ep. 2.10)
  • Rep. Dryer (R-Georgia) Represents the Georgia 4th District which includes DeKalb County, defeated Dekalb D.A. Mark Farragut (D).
  • Rep. Duke (R-New Hampshire)
  • Rep. Eaton (R)
  • Rep. Eeling (R-North Carolina): Represents the 5th congressional district of North Carolina. Defeated Rusnak (D) by 32%.
  • Rep. Erikson (R-Pennsylvania) — Mark Hutter
  • Rep. Christopher Finn — Frank Ashmore: chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Armed Services.
  • Rep. Darren Gibson (R-Michigan) — David St. James (Ep. 3.10, 6.6, 6.21): Sat on a committee investigating Josiah Bartlet's concealed health problems and first learned of Leo McGarry's alcoholism firsthand when he was a wealthy donor to the Bartlet for America campaign. Planned on exploiting Leo's alcoholism during a committee hearing for political gain to the vehement objection of Cliff Calley and later prevented from doing so by Bruno when the hearing was recessed.
  • Rep. Gladman (R) — Kenneth Tigar (Ep. 1.6)
  • Rep. Fay Green (R-Illinois) (Season 7): The DCCC thinks she will step down in 2008
  • Rep. Jeff Haffley (R-Washington) — Steven Culp: House Majority Whip, 1997–2003, Speaker of the House, 2003–2007
  • Rep John Heffinger (R-Oregon) (Season 7): Conservative congressman. Will Bailey tries to find someone to defeat him in 2008. Tony Sharkey, Ina Horton, Paul Kravitz, and Gil Silverly are potential opponents. However, it would appear that Bailey himself runs and defeats Heffinger.
  • Rep. Jim Hohner (R-Illinois): served as Speaker of the House, 1997–2001.
  • Rep. Thomas Korb (R-North Dakota) Served 13 years in the House of Representatives. Killed in roadside bombing of U.S. CODEL in Gaza (Ep. 5.21)
  • Rep. Tom Landis (R-Maryland) — Matt McCoy: Liberal Republican who worked with Josh on an $18 million cleanup for Chesapeake Bay that was ultimately defeated because both right-leaning Republicans and left-leaning Democrats see Landis's seat as vulnerable
  • Rep. Barbara Layton (R-North Carolina) — Cherry Jones: Made a floor speech naming Ellie Bartlet's supervisor, Dr. Louis Foy, as one of the researchers getting funding for research that conservatives consider objectionable.
  • Rep. Peter Lillienfield (R) — Holmes Osborne (Ep. 1.9): Outed Leo as a recovering Valium addict for political gain and to embarrass the White House.
  • Rep. Robert G. Mitchell (R-Ohio): along with Connelly and Haffley, form what Josh Lyman refers to as the unholy trinity. Thought be a candidate to replace Walken as Speaker of the House
  • Rep. Owens (R-Missouri): Reelected in the 7th District by 17% over Nawrot (D).
  • Rep. Rathburn (R-Texas) — Tom Waring
  • Rep. Riddle (R-Florida): Defeats Foister (D) in 2002.
  • Rep. Pete Ross (R-California): Opposed to Campaign Finance reform. Sought the Republican nomination for president in 2002.
  • Rep. Palmer (R-Maryland): defeats Oates (D) in 2002.
  • Rep. Satch (R)
  • Rep. Henry Shallick (R-Missouri) — Corbin Bernsen: Deputy House Majority Whip
  • Rep. Strickman (R) (6.06) Authored a flawed "Patient's Bill of Rights"
  • Rep. Matt Skinner (R) — Charley Lang (Ep. 1.6, 1.8, 2.7): Gay moderate Republican.
  • Rep. Somerfold (R-Michigan): Won reelection with 64%.
  • Rep. Tomlinson (R-Ohio)
  • Rep. Ted (R-Florida)
  • Rep. Glen Allen Walken (R-Missouri) — John Goodman: House Majority Whip, 1995–1997; House Majority Leader, 1997–2001; Speaker of the House, 2001–2003. Became Acting President of the United States when President Josiah President Bartlet temporarily relinquished power. Later a contender for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2006 election, though he never appeared on screen in that capacity.
  • Rep. Chuck Webb (R-California) (Seasons 4–5): Conservative Republican who lost to the recently deceased Horton Wilde and then faced Sam Seaborn in a special election. Webb once challenged another Representative to a fist-fight on the floor of the House of Representatives during a debate about gun control.
  • Rep. Sam Wendt (R-South Carolina): Conservative Republican who single-handedly blocked the White House's attempt to expand child care to working families. Josh calls him the Darth Vader of childcare, and referred to his latest attempts as the Moving America Back to the Mamie Eisenhower Era Amendment.
  • Rep. Whitley (R-New York)- (Ep. 4.8): Defeated Reeler (D) in 2002.
  • Rep. Wilder (R-South Carolina) (Ep. 1.6)
  • Rep. Wooden (R) (Ep. 1.15)
Other Representatives
  • Rep. Botrell
  • Rep. Roger Callahan
  • Rep. Thomas Evers
  • Rep. Pauline Gardner
  • Rep. Peter Lien (Texas): Represents the Galveston-based Texas 22nd district. His predecessor was Jim Cor. He's 34 years old, and came to the US in 1974. His family fishes in the Galveston bay. Meets with President Bartlet in the Oval Office. Bartlet alludes that he emigrated from communist China as a young child. (Ep. 4.1). Democrats are ignoring the heavily Republican 22nd and running an electrical engineer as their candidate (4.4)
  • Rep. Rick Pintero — Juan Garcia (Season 3): Suggested the Marriage Incentives compromise.
  • Rep. Quigley: Washington's 1st District
  • Rep. Carolyn Reed
  • Rep. Gail Trent
  • Rep. Donald Richter (Ep. 5.9)
  • Rep. Widen (Pennsylvania) (Ep. 1.6)
  • Rep. Tewes (Ep. 5.4) – heard confirming Russell for VP in the House Vote
  • Rep. Thayer (Ep. 5.4) – heard confirming Russell for VP in the House Vote
  • Rep. Thibodeaux (Ep. 5.4) – heard confirming Russell for VP in the House Vote
  • Rep. Valence (Ep. 5.4) – heard confirming Russell for VP in the House Vote
  • Rep. Horton (Ep. 5.4) – heard confirming Russell for VP in the House Vote

Senate

Leadership
Members
Democrats
  • Senator August Adair — Robert Arce (Ep. 5.3)
  • Senator Aiello (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Avery (D-California)
  • Senator Bennett (D-North Carolina) (Ep. 4.5): Does spin for Robert Ritchie during the 2002 Presidential debates.
  • Senator Sarah Brainerd: Kate Burton
  • Senator Calvin Bowles (D-Kentucky): An aging moderate Democrat who wants a mobile bio lab to be put in his state, which instead went to Texas. Josh Lyman described him as a "pious old pork hog who votes like a schizophrenic."
  • Senator Cambridge (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Dave Canton (5.14): Serves on Senate Armed Services Committee
  • Senator Crandell (D-Colorado)
  • Senator Dane (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Darius
  • Senator Degie (D-Utah) crossed off the list of potential vice president nominees
  • Senator Englemann (D-New Hampshire) (Ep. 4.8): Shown as the winner on Election Night television broadcasts. Defeated Waterson (R) in 2002.
  • Senator Jack Enlow (D-Illinois) — Robin Thomas: Ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee. He is critical of Josh's decisions as Matt Santos' campaign manager (especially Josh being caught unaware when Illinois became a toss-up state between Santos and Sen. Vinick) and pushes for Leo McGarry to take over from Josh for the closing leg of the race.
  • Senator Franco (D-Indiana)
  • Senator Fuller (D-Maine): Defeated in 2006
  • Senator Gianelli (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Seth Gillette (D-North Dakota) — Ed Begley, Jr.: Threatened to run against President Bartlet as a third-party candidate on a more left-wing platform in the 2002 election. (Ep 2.14) Strong advocate for Social Security reform, but his idea of diverting general government revenues into trusts never found any traction.
  • Senator Grace
  • Senator Greys
  • Senator Tom Grissom (D-Washington): A grandfather who agreed to assist with the Stackhouse filibuster
  • Senator Grace Hardin (D-Georgia): Freshman Democratic Senator in 2003. Disappointed the White House by making sure to cast no vote during a doomed foreign aid measure, due to that measure being extremely unpopular in her home state.
  • Senator Huntington (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Michael Jackson — Larry Brandenburg (Ep 4.04)
  • Senator Kelly (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Kim (D-Arkansas) (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator Rinier (D-Connecticut) (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator LaGava (D-Maine) (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator Lubin (D-Maryland) (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator Ryan Lyndell (D-Massachusetts): Possible nominee for vice president after the resignation of John Hoynes, but was not considered confirmable. (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator Marienhoff (Ep 7.06) Had Louise Thornton as campaign manager, defeated Barrett despite his own questionable business dealings; Thornton later told Josh his GOP opponent was a good man who she gladly destroyed on the way to her candidate's victory.
  • Senator Martinson (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator McKenna (D-Delaware) Mentioned in Season Four by Donna as a potential vote for foreign aid. Josh says his health is the reason he was crossed off as a potential replacement for John Hoynes. (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator McKenna (D-Pennsylvania) Defeated in 2006
  • Senator Tony Marino (D-Pennsylvania) — Mike Starr: Lost his seat in the midterm elections in 2000, largely due to his support for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Said he would abstain if the White House called a "lame duck" session to pass the Treaty because he would respect the decision that the Pennsylvania voters made.
  • Senator George Montgomery (D-Illinois) — Robert Foxworth
  • Senator Oliom (D-Missouri): defeated Danquist (R) in 2002.
  • Senator Roland Pierce (D-Rhode Island) — Mitchell Ryan: Uncle of Ryan Pierce, who was Josh's intern in Season 5. Gets both CJ and Josh drunk in the Mural Room during a discussion over filling a Supreme Court seat. Powerful, and was the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee (Ep 5.17)
  • Senator Ramsey
  • Senator Rathburn (Ep. 1.16)
  • Senator Andy Ritter (D-New Mexico) — John Rubinstein (Seasons 1–2)
  • Senator Ricky Rafferty — Mel Harris (Season 6): Briefly a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2006 election, thanks largely to a health-care plan based around a "single payer" system that stemmed from research done by the White House and shared by Toby. (Ep 6.16)
  • Senator Roanoke
  • Senator Rossiter — Robert Walden: Has an ideological opposition to lawsuit against tobacco companies. Former US Attorney. On Judiciary Committee.
  • Senator Lloyd Russell — John Bedford Lloyd (Ep. 1.2): A Moderate Democrat. Potential challenger to President Bartlet in the primaries in 2002. Abandons campaign before he got started. Briefly hired and dated Mandy Hampton.
  • Senator Sacho (D-Michigan)
  • Senator Howard Stackhouse (D-Minnesota) — George Coe: 78 years old in 2001. Been around forever, but has very little power and is mostly ignored on both sides of the aisle. Has an autistic grandson, and staged a filibuster to secure money for autism research. Ran a liberal third-party candidacy for the Presidency in 2002 but later endorsed President Bartlet. (Ep 2–17, 4.04, 4–06)
  • Senator Starkey — H. M. Wynant: On the Speaker's list for suggested candidates for vice president.
  • Senator Wendell Triplehorn — Geoff Pierson: Senate Minority Leader. Liberal-leaning, mistrusts John Hoynes' moderate politics and intends to challenge Hoynes for the nomination in 2006 (Ep 4.09, 5.01, 5.03)
  • Senator Roy Turner Michael Nouri - Supports Social Security reform and is brought in by Josh when he learns that Toby convinced GOP Sen. Gaines to move on a key aspect of the plan; the two senators then announce a bipartisan plan that the White House pretends publicly to be surprised by (so the senators can take credit for the idea, instead of non-elected senior official Toby).
  • Senator Villegas (D-Louisiana) (Ep 4.23)
  • Senator Warren — Richard McGonagle: Has an ideological opposition to lawsuit against tobacco companies. Former US Attorney.
  • Senator White (D-Hawaii) — Helen Duffy, candidate for the 1994 nomination (Season 4)
  • Senator Sam Whiteside (D-Maryland)
  • Senator William Wiley (D-Washington): Ran for the Democratic nomination in 1998, initially placing second behind John Hoynes (D-TX), until he was overtaken and forced out of the race by Bartlet's (D-NH) campaign
  • Senator Stephen Wilson (D-Massachusetts)
Republicans
  • Unnamed Majority Leader – Bruce Weitz – (Ep. 1.19, 1.20) Vehemently opposed to campaign finance reform, he threatens to unleash an agenda of conservative legislation – including school prayer and English as America's national language – if President Bartlet names Bacon and Calhoun to the Federal Election Commission. Josh responds to an angry phone call by telling him to "take his legislative agenda and shove it up your ass".
  • Senator Joe Gillis (R-New Hampshire)
  • Senator Clancy Banghart- attached an amendment to a foreign aid bill that prevents money from going to places where abortion is talked about.
  • Senator Bill Armstrong Jr. (R-Colorado)
  • Senator Andrews (R-Tennessee)
  • Senator Alan Broderick (R-Florida) Appeared on TV, labelled as a "GOP Leader", when unveiling an $800 billion tax cut plan (Ep. 4.16)
  • Senator Cantina
  • Senator Ford (R-Ohio) (Season 2)
  • Senator Rafe Framhagen (R-Florida) — Brian Dennehy
  • Senator Joseph Furman: President pro tempore of the United States Senate. Ninety years old in 2003.
  • Senator Steve Gaines (R-Illinois) (Ep. 5.12) Approached by Toby on Social Security Reform after Toby notices he is not likely seeking re-election. Eventually comes to make a deal with fellow SSN reformer Sen. Roy Turner (R).
  • Senator Hammond (R-Tennessee) (Season 2)
  • Senator Jimmy Hobuck (R-Alabama) Agrees to vote for foreign aid in turn for $113,300 to pay people to pray for strangers, an offer Josh strongly considers but ultimately rejects.
  • Senator Matt Hunt (R-Arizona): — Philip Baker Hall Chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee. In 2004, he leads an investigation into questionable defense contracts, which concludes in one corrupt deal that involves the pilot who saved Leo McGarry's life during the Vietnam War (Ep. 5.14). Later that year, he potentially jeopardizes relations with China by defending Taiwan in a speech on the Senate floor (Ep. 6.7). Reminiscent of Senator John McCain.
  • Senator Dan Kalmbach (R-Maryland) (Season 2): A prominent member of the tobacco lobby in Washington. During the 2002 elections, he is considered to be a major candidate, but ultimately loses in the primaries to Ritchie.
  • Senator Max Lobell — David Huddleston (Ep. 1.21; 3.21): chairman of the Intelligence Committee. In his own words, a "gun-toting, redneck son-of-a-bitch". A conservative Republican, he favours aggressive campaign finance reform.
  • Senator Malken (R-Virginia)
  • Senator Miner (Season 2)
  • Senator Morgan Mitchell (R-Pennsylvania): Defeated Tony Marino in the 2000 mid term elections and vowed to never allow a vote on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
  • Senator Herman Morton (R-Wyoming)
  • Senator Moseley (R-Colorado): Senate Majority Leader in early 2003, opposed to a foreign aid bill in response to a poll that came out that showed a majority of Americans wanted foreign aid cut. Later replaced by Royce some time before May–July 2003.
  • Senator Niering
  • Senator Rob O'Rourke (R-Indiana)
  • Senator Ramsey (R-Minnesota): Reelected in 2006. Won 52% compared to the Democratic Candidate Douglass' 40%.
  • Senator Robert Royce (R-Pennsylvania) — H. Richard Greene: Senate Majority Leader (Season 5–7) Replaced Moseley in 2003. Was previously a moderate Pennsylvania Congressman who helped sustain veto on the abolition of the inheritance tax. He put himself forward as a VP choice for Vinick in 2006 and considers a Presidential run for 2010.
  • Senator Jim Simon (R-South Dakota)
  • Senator Stacy (R-Tennessee) (Season 2)
  • Senator Swain (R-Rhode Island): Season 7, President-elect Matt Santos considered him for Secretary of Defense
  • Senator Randall Thomas (R-Michigan) — Tom McCarthy
  • Senator Arnold Vinick (R-California) — Alan Alda: Republican candidate for president in 2006 (Seasons 6–7). Nominee for Secretary of State in Santos Administration (Season 7). Senator from 1983 to 2007, was California's senior US Senator in 2006. Chairman of a powerful Senate Committee (either Judiciary or Finance), and also served on the Foreign Relations and Environment Committees
  • Senator Webster (R-Virginia)
  • Senator Sam Wilkinson (R-Kansas) — Paul Collins: Added Sanctity of Marriage Act (similar to Defense of Marriage Act) to the 2006 budget, previously served on the Judiciary Committee with Hoynes (Ep 6.10)
  • Senator Howard Weston (R-Nevada): A member of the Foreign Relations Committee who is expected to move over to Judiciary because he is hoping to be appointed attorney general under the next Republican president.
Other Senators
  • Senator Breech
  • Senator Chris Carrick (D-Idaho) — Tom Skerritt: Switched parties and became a Republican after a run-in with Josh Lyman in 2003.
  • Senator Choate — Mary-Pat Green
  • Senator Crossfield
  • Senator Cumberland
  • Senator Dashowitz
  • Senator Dejoie
  • Senator Dubar (5.17)
  • Senator Jenkins (5.21; his name appears in Josh Lyman's e-mail inbox)
  • Senator Kasey
  • Senator Larkin
  • Senator Lindsay — Sarah Benoit
  • Senator McGowen
  • Senator McNamara
  • Senator Newberry
  • Senator Proctor
  • Senator Quartermain
  • Senator Robin Fulton
  • Senator Taglio
  • Senator Wirth

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of the United States

  • Chief Justice Roy Ashland — Milo O'Shea: Aging liberal Chief Justice who resigned in 2004 and replaced by Evelyn Baker Lang, the first woman Chief Justice. Ashland joined the Supreme Court in 1972, and became Chief Justice in 1992, though in 2003 it was stated that he had faced six administrations and "22 congresses" (meaning he may have served for 44 years). Born in 1922.
  • Chief Justice Evelyn Baker Lang — Glenn Close (Season 5): Replaced Roy Ashland, who resigned in 2004. First woman Chief Justice. A liberal appointed by President Bartlet in a deal with Senate Republicans where they got to fill the seat of the deceased Owen Brady with a conservative, Christopher Mulready. The role was performed by Ann Ryerson at President Santos' Inauguration (Ep. 7.22).
  • Justice Roberto Mendoza — Edward James Olmos (Ep. 1.9; 1.15): Controversial nominee appointed by President Bartlet to replace the liberal Justice Joseph Crouch, who was not fond of the President. Considered a liberal at the time of his appointment and still considered as such by Justice Mulready years later, though Josh (perhaps erroneously) lists him as one of the "centrists" (Ep. 5.17)
  • Justice Christopher Mulready — William Fichtner: 48-year-old Conservative judge appointed by President Bartlet to replace the late conservative justice, Owen Brady. Was appointed in a deal with Senate Republicans that allowed Evelyn Baker Lang to be Chief Justice (Ep. 5.17)
  • Justice Joseph Crouch — Mason Adams (Ep. 1.9): Aging liberal justice who retired in November 1999 and was replaced by Roberto Mendoza. Did not like President Bartlet due to his lack of commitment to his beliefs. He began serving the year Bartlet entered college and served on the bench for 38 years, meaning he joined in 1961.
  • Justice Owen Brady: Young conservative who died suddenly in 2004 at age 52 of a heart attack. He was described by both liberals and conservatives as a "young, brilliant mind." Replaced by Christopher Mulready, who described the Court as being at its best when "Brady was fighting Ashland." (Ep. 5.16 & 5.17)
  • Justice Brannigan. Considered a centrist. (5.17)
  • Justice Carmine. Considered a centrist. (5.17)
  • Justice Henry Clark. Considered a centrist. (5.17)
  • Justice Dreifort: Conservative justice who had Ainsley Hayes as a clerk. White House Counsel Lionel Tribbey describes him as "an idiot" who is "intolerant toward gays, lesbians, blacks, unions, women, poor people, and the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Ninth Amendments." (Ep. 2.5)
  • Justice Hoyt. Considered a centrist. (5.17)
  • Justice Lafayette. Considered a centrist. (5.17)
  • Former Justice Weddington
  • Former Chief Justice Henry Staub: Former liberal Chief Justice assumed to hold the position in the ensuing 6 years between the Burger Court (1969–1986) and the Ashland Court (1992–2004). Mentioned by Ashland in a respectful light during his retirement press conference. (5.17)

Court as of 1999: Ashland, Brady, Brannigan, Carmine, Clark, Crouch, Dreifort, Hoyt, LaFayette.

Court after 2000: Ashland, Brady, Brannigan, Carmine, Clark, Dreifort, Hoyt, LaFayette, Mendoza.

Court after 2004: Lang, Brannigan, Carmine, Clark, Dreifort, Hoyt, LaFayette, Mendoza, Mulready.

Based on a comment by Donna Moss in Episode 5.16, it's known that two of the Supreme Court justices were women, with Lang's appointment in 5.17 increasing this to three.

Other jurists

  • Peyton Cabot Harrison III (Ken Howard: His father was Eisenhower's Attorney General. A lifelong Democrat, he clerked for Republican Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger and served as dean of the Harvard Law School. The first choice to fill Crouch's seat on the Supreme Court, he was ultimately rebuffed by Bartlet after expressing questionable views on the right to privacy.
  • Ed Harrison
  • Eric Hayden: Nominee to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Sharon Day — Brady Rubin: She swore in Glen Allen Walken as Acting President on May 8, 2003.
  • E. Bradford Shelton — Robert Picardo: Considered for nomination to the Supreme Court. Shelton is a moderate judge because he refuses to position himself on issues, preferring to decide each case on the merits. His son once burned President Bartlet in effigy to protest military action in Saudi Arabia.

Independent agencies

Central Intelligence Agency

  • Directors
    • George Rollie — Ryan Cutrona (Ep. 1.11; Seasons 5–7) President Bartlet cannot stand him, making it clear at every turn that he has no faith in the CIA's ability to either do its job or avoid breaking the law; Toby and C.J. note that they like having Rollie around because the president doesn't go after them as long as he can play "whack-the-DCI" in meetings.
    • Rob Konrad — M.G. Mills (Ep. 1.21)

Federal Election Commission

Federal Reserve

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

State government of the United States

State governors

  • Gabriel "Gabe" Tillman (D-California) — Ray Wise: 2001–. Will Bailey wrote an acclaimed speech for Gov. Tillman. In 2006 primaries, gave tacit support for Congressman Santos, after initially planning to support former Vice President Hoynes. Mentioned in the fourth season and again in the seventh season when a nuclear power plant near San Diego comes close to meltdown.
  • Robert Ritchie (R-Florida) — James Brolin (Seasons 3–4): 1997–2005. Served two terms as governor. Republican nominee for president in 2002, defeated by the incumbent, President Bartlet. Elected in 1996 and defeated Carol Gelsey (who we know stood for Florida Governor in 1996). Succeeded by Eric Swenson (R), who is governor by the 2006 election.
  • Jack Buckland (D-Indiana) — Kevin Tighe (Ep. 3.03; 3.04): 1997–2002. Helped to deliver Indiana and the whole mid-west to Bartlet in the 1998 election. Was a serious candidate for Bartlet's running mate in that election. Former US Olympian and Heisman Trophy winner. Would have challenged the President in the 2002 primaries but was talked out of it by Josh Lyman, and promised a Cabinet position. Appointed Secretary of Labor (2002–2007).
  • Mike Reed (R-Ohio) — Matt McKenzie: 1997–2009. a contender for the 2006 nomination. Gave keynote speech at the Republican National Convention, known as the "eight is enough" speech attacking the Bartlet administration (which was in its eighth year in office). Did not stand for election in 2006.
  • Bill Daniel (R-Nebraska) 1997–2005
  • Jack Stephens (R-New York) 1989–2001
  • Peggy Wade (R-Oklahoma): 2001–. President Bartlet and Wade dislike each other. Bartlet disagrees in particular with her support for gun rights and tort reform (5.06)
  • Eric Baker (D-Pennsylvania) — Ed O'Neill: 2001–2007. Widely tipped as a front runner for the Democratic nomination for president in 2006, Baker's surprise decision not to run at the outset leaves the race wide open. When the convention is deadlocked, Baker enters the race from the floor as a draft candidate, but withdraws over fallout due to the discovery of his non-disclosure of his wife's depression. Nominated for vice president by President Santos following the death of Leo McGarry.
  • Edward Pratt (R-Tennessee) — Doug Ballard: 2001–. Meets with the President to discuss increasing instances of arson against the black churches in his state around Christmas 2001. Still Governor in 2005 when he found out about a top-secret deal where the country of Georgia offered the US uranium and threatened to leak it publicly since he was opposed to it.
  • Ray Sullivan (R-West Virginia) — Brett Cullen (Seasons 6–7): 2001–. Senator Vinick's running mate in 2006. Seen as the front runner for the Republican nomination in 2010.
  • Hutchins (D-Michigan): 2003–. defeated Parsons (R) in 2002. (4.8)
  • Sidley (Massachusetts) 2007–. (7.22)
  • Wilkins (New Hampshire) 1999–2007. (7.22)
  • Halley (R-Ohio): 2007–. Elected in 2006, defeated Fishman (D) by 2%. Succeeded Mike Reed (R).
  • Eric Swenson (R-Florida): 2005–. Helped get out the vote for Vinick in 2006. Replaced Robert Ritchie as governor in January 2005.

Other state-level politicians

Local government of the United States

  • Mayor of Washington, DC (D)— James Pickens, Jr. : African-American, attended a public school. While a Democrat, he is pro-school vouchers
  • Jimmy Fitzsimmons: Won the 2002 Boston Mayor's race by 51 points
  • Mayor Atkins (D): city unknown. African-American, former Christian Left Reverend. "Fringe" 2006 Democratic Primary candidate in Iowa, critic of NAFTA. Had delegates at the 2006 convention and worked as a Santos surrogate on election day

Other United States politicians

Party leaders

  • Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
    • Barry Goodwin — John Aylward
    • Steve Rorsche — Mark L. Taylor
  • Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Christian right

  • Reverend Don Butler (R-Virginia) — Don S. Davis (Season 6): Candidate for Republican nomination for president and leader of the American Christian Assembly
  • Reverend Al Caldwell — F. William Parker: Prominent religious leader who, unlike his associates (like Mary Marsh and John Van Dyke), is respectful of and respected by members of the Bartlet administration (Eps. 1.1, 2.8)
  • Mary Marsh — Annie Corley: Associate of Rev. Al Caldwell who has a mutually shared antagonism with members of the Bartlet administration, especially Josh Lyman
  • Reverend Algiss Schuyler — Ellis E. Williams
  • John Van Dyke — David Sage: Associate of Rev. Al Caldwell. (Ep. 1.1)
  • George Rohr —Peter MacKenzie: political advisor to the American Christian Assembly, former advisor to the Speaker of the House (Ep 7.3)

Ambassadors

United States ambassadors

  • Courtland, ambassador to Bolivia (Ep. 6.12)
  • Ken Cochran, ambassador to Bulgaria — Lawrence Pressman (Ep. 1.21): Forced to resign after his affair with the daughter of the Bulgarian Prime Minister was discovered. Belonged to a club in DC that did not allow African American members, something Charlie Young took some pleasure in noting when he informed Cochran that his days of government power were about to end permanently.
  • Ross Kassenbach, ambassador to Micronesia — Bruce Wright (Ep. 1.21): former member of the Federal Election Commission.
  • Vanderbass, ambassador to Vietnam (Ep. 4.9)

Foreign ambassadors to the United States

Foreign officials

Leaders

Other officials

  • Vice President Liu of the People's Republic of China (Ep. 6.9)
  • Chairman Xian of the People's Republic of China (Ep. 6.9)
  • Vice President Abu El-Azm of Egypt (Ep. 4.20)
  • Justice Minister of Haiti Rene Ducasse. [2.21]. Arrested by Colonel Bazen.
  • Rahmadi Sumahidjo Bambang, deputy to President Siguto of Indonesia (Ep. 1.7) - Expressed anger when Toby Ziegler penned an unfriendly "toast" to his president, later called out Toby for hypocrisy over America's history of human rights abuses when Toby asked him to free a French citizen who was arrested in Indonesia for trying to start a democratic reforms process.
  • Foreign Minister Ben Yosef of Israel — Malachi Throne (Ep. 4.4): Good friend of Leo McGarry, who is killed when terrorists shoot his plane down over southern Lebanon.
  • Israeli Defense Minister Doran Mazar (6.1; 6.2) — Eli Danker
  • Brendan McGann, the leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland (Ep. 3.15) His visit to the White House was objected to by UK Ambassador Lord John Marbury because of his IRA past, but Lord Marbury later tells Toby that the White House must have talks with him, even as they will be publicly excoriated for talking to a terrorist.
  • Defense Minister Takabi of Japan (Ep 5.20)
  • Defense Minister Abdul ibn Shareef of Qumar — Al No'mani (Ep. 3.22): Brother of the Sultan and terrorist leader, assassinated by the United States.
  • Vasiliy Konanov, a Ukrainian politician — Eugene Lazarev. A pro-Western leader with a history of drunken and outrageous behavior, who wants an official meeting with President Bartlet; Leo ends up finding an indirect way for him to head back to Kiev in a good mood.
  • Ambassador Ali Nassir of Qumar, Qumari ambassador to the United Nations (Ep. 4.6)
  • Minister of Health Dr. Fabius Makabua of Uganda (Ep. 5.18)

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 A fictional "Secretary of Health and Education" is referred to in Twenty-Five (Ep 4.23). However, other episodes refer to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education without referring to their respective secretaries, either implying that the Secretary of Health and Education oversees both departments or that the line in Ep. 4.23, implying that one secretary oversees both departments, was a script mistake (In real life, before 1979, there was a Department of Health, Education, and Welfare).
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