Shadow congressperson facts for kids

Imagine a special kind of elected official in the United States called a shadow United States Senator or shadow United States Representative. These people are chosen by areas that are part of the U.S. but aren't full states, like Washington, D.C. or Puerto Rico. Even though they are elected, they don't get to vote in the U.S. Congress. Their main goal is to work hard and convince Congress to give their area full voting rights.

Washington D.C.'s Fight for Representation

District of Columbia is the capital of the United States. Even though many people live there and pay taxes, they don't have a voting representative in Congress. To try and change this, D.C. elects "shadow" officials.

The current Shadow Senators for District of Columbia are Paul Strauss (left) and Michael Donald Brown (right).

The current Shadow Representative for the District of Columbia is Franklin Garcia.

Shadow Senators for Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. elects two shadow senators, just like states elect two regular senators. These individuals work to speak for D.C. residents in Congress.

First Senate Seat

• Florence Pendleton (D), 1991–2007
• Michael Donald Brown (D), 2007–present

Second Senate Seat

• Jesse Jackson (D), 1991–1997
• Paul Strauss (D), 1997–present

Shadow Representatives for Washington D.C.

D.C. also elects a shadow representative. This person acts like a member of the House of Representatives, but without a vote.

• Charles Moreland (D), 1991–1995
• John Capozzi, Jr. (D), 1995–1997
• Sabrina Sojourner (D), 1997–1999
• Tom Bryant, Jr. (D), 1999–2001
• Ray Browne (D), 2001–2007
• Mike Panetta (D), 2007–2013
• Nate Bennett-Fleming (D), 2013–2015
• Franklin Garcia (D), 2015–present

Puerto Rico's Quest for a Voice

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. Like D.C., it does not have full voting power in Congress. Puerto Rico also elects shadow officials to push for more representation.

One of the current Shadow Senators for Puerto Rico is Carlos Romero Barceló.

Shadow Senators for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has also chosen shadow senators to advocate for its people.

• Zoraida Fonalledas (NPP/R), 2017–present
• Carlos Romero Barceló (NPP), 2017–present

Shadow Representatives for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico also elects several shadow representatives to speak for its interests in the House.

• Luis Fortuño, 1st (NPP/R) 2017–present
• Charlie Rodríguez, 2nd (NPP/D) 2017–present
• Luis Berríos-Amadeo, 3rd (I), 2019–present

Former Shadow Representatives

• Pedro Rosselló, 4th (NPP/D), 2017–2019