Headline: From circuits to politics
Why He Matters
Lausten is chief of staff to veteran Illinois DemocratDaniel Lipinski(D-Ill.).
Lausten, who has a background in science and technology, is a good fit for Lipinski, who sits on theHouse Science, Space and Technology Committeeand is as ranking member of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee.
Lausten’s attention is split between making sure the office is running efficiently and working with the staff to spot legislative and communication opportunities for the congressman. He also ensures that constituent’s letters, emails and Facebook comments are not left unanswered.
Lausten, who took the reins of Lipinski’s Washington office in May 2011, was surprised by the variety of tasks in the chief of staff job.
“It doesn’t come with the corporate job description,” he said. “It’s sort of a role that defines itself new every day.”
Path To Power
Lausten thought he wanted to be an electical engineer in college, but switched his focus from circuits to politics after discovering his passion for public affairs on a cross-country trip in college.
After congressional internships and campaign work, Lausten joined former Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s (D-Ga.) staff in March 1999 as a district services representative, and was later promoted to legislative director.
When McKinney lost her reelection bid in 2003, Lausten moved to the office next door to work for Resident Commissioner to Puerto Rico Aníbal Acevedo Vilá.
Lausten originally only asked Vilá’s office to circulate his resume, but he ended up getting hired as legislative director in April 2003, a job he held until January 2005.
Working with the Puerto Rican delegation taught Lausten to get creative to make sure decision-makers were thinking about the island territory’s needs and interests.
“You had to really learn how to push your issues without a whole lot of political capital,” he said.
After a four-year stint with the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Lausten returned to the Hill with the help of a former colleague, who connected him with Rep.
Lipinski’s then-chief of staff.
Fresh off completing his master’s in international science and technology policy, Lausten was hired into Lipinski’s office as a legislative director in March 2009. He was promoted to chief of staff in May 2011.
The Issues
Lausten’s engineering background led to an interest in innovation, research and development – a natural fit for Lipinski, who sits on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and is as ranking member of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee.
He was actively involved in drafting, and redrafting the National Manufacturing Strategy Act. The measure passed the House in 2010, and was reintroduced in 2011 after the
original bill fell flat in the Senate.
A fan of the outdoors, Lausten also takes a personal interest in environmental issues. Preserving the integrity of national outdoor treasures for his son Trevor fuels this passion.
The Network
Making connections, and keeping them fresh, is essential in Washington, and Lausten said he can’t count the number of people who have been helpful at various intersections.
Paul Weiss, currently direct of the lobbying firm Prime Policy Group, brought Lausten on with the Puerto Rican Resident Commissioner’s office in 2003, and later connected him with Rep. Daniel Lipinski’s (D-Ill.) office, ultimately landing him a chief of staff job in Lipinski’s office.
“I am forever in debt to him, doubly now,” Lausten said. “He’s a great person and obviously has been a good help.”
In Their Own Words