Articles by Dr. LaShonda Brenson
Dr. LaShonda Brenson
Digging Deeper: 2026 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers
On July 31, 2026, the Senate Democratic Caucus released an update of its demographic data on Democratic staff (find 2026 numbers here and 2025 numbers here). The analysis below ranks…
Unrepresented: Black and Latino Leadership Among Senate Committee Top Staff
While senators make the final decisions for their offices, top committee staff wield significant influence due to their deep subject matter expertise in specific policy areas. Corporations, advocacy organizations, news…
Digging Deeper: 2025 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers
By Dr. LaShonda Brenson On July 17, 2025, the Senate Democratic Caucus released an update of its demographic data on Democratic staff (find 2025 numbers here and 2024 numbers here).…
Racial & Ethnic Representation Among Top Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor This report, Racial & Ethnic Representation Among Top Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives, examines racial and ethnic representation among top staff…
Joint Center Tracker Final Update of Racial Diversity of Top Staff Hires in 119th Congress
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D. and Kimberly Victor As of Feb. 28, members of Congress have filled 1,509 of the 1,599 top positions (chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors)…
Joint Center Tracker Second Update of Racial Diversity of Top Staff Hires in 119th Congress
By LaShonda Brenson Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor As of January 10, members of Congress have filled 1,466 of the 1,599 top positions (chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors)…
Joint Center Tracker Update of Racial Diversity of Top Staff Hires in 119th Congress
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor There are 1602 top positions (chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors) in the personal offices of new and returning members of…
Digging Deeper: 2024 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers
By Dr. LaShonda Brenson and Kimberly Victor On July 31, 2024, the Senate Democratic Caucus released an update of its demographic data on Democratic staff (find 2024 numbers here and…
Pathway Staff Diversity in Senate Personal Offices
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor This report, Pathway Staff Diversity in Senate Personal Offices, provides evidence regarding the lack of racial diversity among U.S. Senate “pathway” staff. In…
Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D. and Kimberly Victor This report, Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices, provides evidence regarding the need for more racial diversity among U.S.…