Brian Branton

Brian Branton currently serves as Chief of Staff for Congressman Jared Polis (CO-2), the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a freshman. Overseeing the Congressman’s office and serving as his chief political and policy advisor, Brian helped cement Congressman Polis as the “Number One Rising Political Star” by Politico Magazine and gotten his work in Congress regularly featured on CNN’s show “Freshman Year.” With Brian’s assistance, he facilitated Congressman Polis being selected to serve on the exclusive Rules Committee his freshman year, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and named as the distinguished Chairman of the Democratic Campaign Congressional Committee’s Red to Blue program, which orchestrates the Democrats’ campaign to win back control of the House of Representatives.

With more than 15 years of Congressional experience, Brian has worked on Capitol Hill for a variety of Members, including Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania, as the Congressman’s Chief of Staff, Legislative Director for Rep. David Wu of Oregon and Legislative Counsel for Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey. Brian also worked for Rep. Patsy Mink of Hawaii, the creator of Title IX promoting gender equity in education, overseeing her work on the Education and Workforce Committee. His career on Capitol Hill started with Sen. Barbara Mikulski (MD), where he served as her health policy fellow.

In 2011, Brian was selected to serve as one of the prestigious Congressional Stennis Fellows. The Stennis Fellows Program is a practical, bipartisan leadership development experience for senior-level staff of the United States Congress. Established in the 103rd Congress, the Stennis Fellows Program brings together chiefs of staff, committee staff directors, legislative directors, and others to explore ways to improve the effectiveness of those who work on Capitol Hill. He also currently serves on the Kitchen Cabinet of One Colorado to provide ongoing input and feedback regarding the policy work of One Colorado, a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to securing and protecting equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Coloradans and their families.

Born in North Carolina, Brian graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1991 with honors and received his law degree from the Washington College of Law (American University) in Washington, D.C. in 1994. A licensed attorney, Brian previously worked for the law firm of Clifford, Farha, and Sanders, where he worked in the area of tax and estate planning.

In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, reading, skiing, and hiking.