List of politicians on The West Wing

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
** Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet (D) — Martin Sheen (Seasons 1–7, not exercising office in Ep. 5.01)
** Glen Allen Walken (R) (acting) — John Goodman (Eps. 4.22, 5.01, 5.02)
** Matthew Vincente Santos (D) — Jimmy Smits (Ep. 7.22)
** D. Wire Newman — James Cromwell (Ep. 5.10)
* Vice President
** John Hoynes — Tim Matheson (Seasons 1–4 and appearances in Season 5 and 6): President Bartlet's rival for the 1998 Democratic presidential nominee, 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 'Bingo 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 1–7): 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 1–7)
* Attorney General
** Dan Larson — Sherry Houston (Ep. 1.21)
** Alan Fisk — Dylan Baker (Ep. 5.9)
* Secretary of the Interior
** Bill Horton — Edmund L. Shaff (Ep. 3.03)
* 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 (Ep. 3.03; 3.04)
* Secretary of Agriculture
** Roger Tribbey — Harry Groener (Ep. 1.12; 4.23)
* Secretary of Health and Human ServicesA 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. (Interestingly enough, in real life, before 1979, there was a Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.)]
**Blieden (Ep. 7.12)
* Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
** Deborah O'Leary — CCH Pounder (Ep. 1.15)
** 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 Education (Ep. 2.08; 2.10; 4.06; 5.08)
** Jim Kane (Ep. 7.20)
* Secretary of Veterans Affairs
** Jason Weaver, (Season 4)

=Other executive branch officials=

* Jeff Breckenridge: Bartlet's nominee for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
* Martin Connelly: An Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division at the Justice Department, working on the lawsuit against the tobacco companies.
* Lesley Cryer: Bartlet's recess nominee for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
* Bob Slatterley — 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)
* James Elkins: Bartlet's recess nominee for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation
* Hal Garreth: Head of the Federal Aviation Administration
* Dr. Millicent Griffith — Mary Kay Place: Surgeon General
* Gerald Wegland: Assistant Secretary of Energy

pokespersons

* Donald Morales: Spokesperson for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
* Tad Whitney: State Department Spokesperson. He applied for White House deputy press secretary but C.J. chose Simon Glazer instead.
* Gary Saunders: Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of Energy.

Former Presidents of the United States

* President D. Wire Newman (D) — James Cromwell: Last Democrat in the White House prior to President Bartlet's administration.
* President Owen Lassiter (R) — (deceased)
* Acting President Glen Allen Walken (R) — John Goodman: Former Speaker of the House of Representatives. Was Acting President of the United States for almost two days after Zoey Bartlet was kidnapped and President Bartlet invoked the 25th Amendment. As the office of the Vice President was vacant at the time, the Speaker was next in the presidential line of succession.

Legislative branch

=House of Representatives=

Leadership

*Speaker of the House
** Jim Hohner, 1997-2003
** Glen Allen Walken, 2003-2003
** Jeff Haffley, 2003-2007
** Mark B. Sellner, 2007-

Members

=Democrats=

* 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 homosexual, 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-North Carolina) (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 "knucklehead" district attorney from Wake 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): 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 is implied to be in the South (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-California): Minority Leader, 1999-2007
* Rep. Tim Fields (D-Texas) Candidate for Speaker of the House after the 2006 Elections. Friend of President-elect Santos, represents a district that neighbours Santos' 18th District (most likely the 9th or 29th)
* Rep. Diane Frost (D): On the Haffley's list for suggested cantidates for Vice President. Lesbian.
* Rep. Carol Gelsey (D-Florida) (Season 7): Candidate to replace Leo McGarry as Vice President, Josh says she's second choice after Eric Baker. Ran for Governor in 1996 (and almost certainly lost to Robert Ritchie).
* 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. 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. After losing her seat in the 2002 election, she was up for Director of the National Parks service, until it was discovered that the position was Senate confirmable.
* Rep. LeBrandt (D) (Ep. 1.4)
* Rep. Peter Lien (D-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. (Ep. 4.1)
* 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 amendement 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.
* 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) (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 whom 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 by Leo McGarry "a reasonable guy" and appears to be a moderate Republican.
* 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 "unholt trinity" Josh Lyman refers to in Season 5.
* Rep. Tawny Cryer (R)--Valerie Mahaffey (Ep. 3.06): Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee; Possibly represents Kansas.
* Rep. Dade (R) (Season 2)
* Rep. Paul Dearborn (R-Utah) — Steven Gilborn
* Rep. Daniel DeSantos: Killed in roadside bombing of U.S. CODEL in Gaza(Ep. 5.21)
* 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. Erickson (R-Pennsylvania)
* 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 Sat on committee investigating Josiah Bartlet's concealed health problems and was prevented from revealing the alcoholic problems of Leo McGarry.
*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, 1997-2003.
* 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 dollar 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. 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. Peter Ross (R-California)
* 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): Liberal Republican and homosexual.
* 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. 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

*President "pro tempore" of the Senate
** Joseph Furman, 1999-

Members

Democrats

* Senator August Adair (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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Senator Huntington (Ep. 1.16)
* Senator Michael Jackson — Larry Brandenburg (Season 4)
* 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
* 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.
* Senator George Montgomery (D-Illinois)
* 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.
* 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.
* 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. 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.
* Senator Starkey — H.M. Wynant: On the Speaker's list for suggested cantidates 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
* Senator Turner
* 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 against President Bartlet in the 1998 Primary campaign
* Senator Stephen Wilson (D-Massachusetts)

Republicans

* 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 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 Gaines
* Senator Hammond (R-Tennessee) (Season 2)
* Senator Jimmy Hobuck (R-Alabama) Agrees to vote for foreign aid in turn for $115,000 to pay people to pray for strangers.
* 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 McGary'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).
* 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". Although 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.
* 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. He put himself forward as a VP choice for Vinick in 2006 and considers a Presidential run for 2010, but "doesn't have a chance"
* 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 Webster (R-Virginia)
* Senator 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. A candidate for 2002 Republican nomination. Was considered a "serious candidate" by President Bartlet at the start of the Primary season.

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.
* 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.
* Justice Christopher Mulready — William Fichtner: 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.
* 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. 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 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."
* Justice Brannaghan. Considered a centrist
* Justice Carmine. Considered a centrist.
* Justice Henry Clark. Considered a centrist.
* 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.
* Justice Lafayette. Considered a centrist.
* Former Justice Weddington

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: His father was Eisenhower's Attorney General. A life-long Democrat, he clerked for Republican Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger and served as dean of the Harvard Law School.
* 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)
** Rob Konrad — M.G. Mills (Ep. 1.21)

Federal Election Commission

* John Branford Bacon (D): Nominated to the FEC by President Bartlet over the objections of the Senate Majority Leader. Favors campaign finance reform.
* Patricia Calhoun (R): Formerly director of the Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation. Also worked in the Office of Management and Budget under two Republican presidents. Favors "aggressive" campaign finance reform.
* Barry Haskell — Austin Pendleton: Member of the FEC since 1990. Favors campaign finance reform, especially banning soft money, but only admitted so when gently confronted by Leo McGarry.
* Ross Kassenbach — Bruce Wright: Opposes campaign finance reform. Appointed by President Bartlet to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Federal Reserve

*Chairman of the Federal Reserve
** Bernard Dahl (1992–2000)
** Ronald Ehrlich (2000–Present)

tate 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): 1997-2003. Helped to deliver Indiana and the whole mid-west to Bartlet in the 1998 election. Was a serious canidate 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. Became Secretary of Labor.
* Mike Reed (R-Ohio): 1999-2007. 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)
* Jack Stephens (R-New York)
* Peggy Wade (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. Sought Democratic nomination for President in 2006 from the floor of the convention. Withdrew after fallout due to the discovery of his lack of disclosure of his wife's depression. Nominated for (and presumably confirmed as) 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).
* Griffith (D)
* Atkins: 1999-2007. Might be the same Atkins mentioned on a number of occasions who sought the Dem nomination for President in 2006.
* 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

* Ivan "Izzy" Perez — Rick Najera: Member of the California Agricultural Laborers Association. Ran for Governor of California on the American Communist Party ticket. (Ep. 4.16)
* Richard Sutter, California Assemblyman

Local government of the United States

* Jimmy Fitzsimmons: Won the 2002 Boston Mayor's race by 51 points.

Other United States politicians

Party leaders

*Chairman of the Democratic Party
** Barry Goodwin
**Steve Rorsche
*Chairman of the Republican Party
** Steve Hodder

Christian right

* Reverend George W. Atkinson (R-Mississippi): Candidate for the 2002 Republican nomination
* 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
* 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. Famously misquoted the First Commandment as saying "Honor thy father" (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.
* 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

* Renee Ernesto, Ambassador from Argentina
* Noah Jolla, Ambassador from Burkina Faso
* David, Ambassador from the People's Republic of China — James Hong (Ep. 1.11; 3.15)
* Ling-Po, Ambassador from the People's Republic of China — George Kee Cheung (Ep. 6.7; 7.12)
* Yahlin, Ambassador from the People's Republic of China (Ep. 7.9)
* Tiki, Ambassador from Equatorial Kundu (Ep. 4.16)
* Julian Lefort, Ambassador from France (Ep. 7.9)
* Jacques Ornand, Ambassador from France — François Giroday (Ep. 7.11)
* Franz, Ambassador from Germany — Ronald Guttman (Ep. 7.11)
* Vigdis Olafsdottir, Ambassador from Iceland (Ep. 2.12)
* Ambassador from India — Iqbal Theba (Ep. 1.11)
* Shira Galit, Ambassador from Israel — Natalija Nogulich (Ep. 5.22; 6.1; 6.2)
* Habib, Ambassador from Pakistan — Erick Avari (Ep. 1.11)
* Nadia Kozlowski, Ambassador from Russia — Charlotte Cromwell (Ep. 2.9)
* Yuri, Ambassador from Russia (Ep. 7.9)
* Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Ambassador from Saudi Arabia. [2.12]
* Peter Hans, Ambassador from Sweden — Erik Holland (Ep. 2.12)
* Chris von Rutte, Ambassador from Switzerland — Wolf Muser (Ep. 4.8)
* Tada Sumatra, Ambassador from Thailand — Alberto Isaac (Ep. 2.12)
* Lord John Marbury, Ambassador from the United Kingdom — Roger Rees (Ep. 1.11; 1.12; 2.12; 3.16; 6.14): Former British Ambassador to India. Considered an expert on the Indian subcontinent, and known for his colorful and flamboyant personality (and for constantly mistaking White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry for the White House butler).
* Prince Umar Usef, Ambassador from Qumar (Ep. 5.2)

Foreign officials

Leaders

* President Ismaili of Albania (Ep. 5.06)
* Prime Minister Toder Lukanov of Bulgaria (Ep. 1.21)
* President Eliches of Belarus (Ep. 6.14)
* King Nawa of Bhutan (4.14) Died in January 2003.
* King Yashey Nawa of Bhutan (4.14) Succeeded his deceased father, only 14 years old.
* Prime Minister Dallaire of Canada (Ep. 6.10 & 7.19)
* President Chen of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (Ep. 6.7)
* Premier Zyang of the People's Republic of China (Ep. 6.9)
* President Lian of the People's Republic of China (Ep. 6.9) — Raymond Ma
* President Nimbala of Equatorial Kundu — Zakes Mokae (Ep. 2.4): Overthrown in "coup d'etat" and executed.
* President Nzele of Equatorial Kundu. (Ep. 4.16) Leader of the Artuku regime
*President D'Astier of France (Ep. 4.1 & 7.4)
*President Trenier of France (Ep. 5.12)
*Chancellor Weissman of Germany (Ep. 5.6)
*Chancellor Ehrhart of Germany (Ep. 7.4)
*President Rustaveli of Georgia (Ep. 6.4)
*President Gianakkos of Greece (Ep. 5.06)
* Colonel Bazen of Haiti. (2.21) Head of the Haitian military junta opposed to the election of Dessaline.
*President Dessaline of Haiti. (2.21) Overthrown by Bazen's junta, but rescued.
* Prime Minister Nohamid of India (Ep. 1.11) Later referred to as a woman whose grandfather played chess with Lord Mountbatten. President Bartlet implies that the grandfather was Jawaharlal Nehru. (Ep. 3.14)
* President Rahm Siguto of Indonesia — Ariono Suriawinata (Ep. 1.7)
* Ayatollah Afkham, Supreme Leader of Iran (Ep. 4.9)
** Salman Afkham, his 15-year-old son
* President Alijani of Iran (Ep. 5.13 & 6.14) Moderate reformer, despite his extremist rhetoric
* Prime Minister Ben Yahbin of Israel (Ep 1.6)
* Prime Minister Efraim 'Eli' Zahavy of Israel — Armin Mueller-Stahl (Season 5 - 6). Likud
** Maya Zahavy, his wife
* President Rushan Issetov of Kazakhstan (Ep 7.4) Assassinated.
* Prime Minister Tarimov of Kazakhstan (Ep 7.8) Pro-Moscow. Promoted to Acting President after Issetov's death and won unfair election to President
* Chairman Nizar Farad of the Palestinian National Authority — Makram J. Khoury (Ep. 5.22, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.4) - Hardliner. Killed by suicide bomber in Series 7
* Palestinian Prime Minister Saeb Mukarat — Marcelo Tubert (Ep. 5.22, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.4) Moderate, expected to become President when after Farad's death
* President Pyotr Chigorin of Russia. Ex-KGB, won an unfair election. A reformer who supports the environment, nuclear armament reductions and friendship with the US.
* Crown Prince Bitar of Saudi Arabia (Ep. 5.10) Supporter of steady reform in the Kingdom
* President Wang of South Korea (Ep. 6.8)
* President Shevkuh of Ukraine: Implied that he is not a reformer.
* Prime Minister of the United Kingdom: Referred to by Lord John Marbury only by the nickname of "Ricky". (Season 1)
* Prime Minister Maureen Graty of the United Kingdom — Pamela Salem (Season 6)
* President Miguel Santos of Colombia (Ep. 2.13)
* President Carlos Velasco of Venezuela (Ep. 4.1)
* President Ignacio of Venezuela. Overthrown in a coup d'etat and arrested by Luna (Ep. 4.8)

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
* Foreign Minister Ben Yosef of Israel — Malachi Throne (Ep. 4.4): Assassinated when his plane was shot down.
* Israeli Defense Minister Doran Mazar (6.1; 6.2) — Eli Danker
* Brendan McGann, the leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland (Ep. 3.15) His visit to the White House was objected to by UK Ambassador Lord John Marbury
* 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
* 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)

ee also

*"The West Wing"
*List of characters on "The West Wing"
*List of "The West Wing" episodes

Notes