Matt Patton leads Protect Democracy’s advocacy efforts in Michigan, our state business engagement and legislative efforts to protect election officials, developing policy solutions and building consensus on democratic norms. Matt comes to Protect Democracy from the private sector with previous communications and policy experience in the Michigan House and Senate, having operated as a government relations professional across the Midwest and parts of Canada after serving several Republican campaigns, including as national traveling staff for the McCain and Romney presidential campaigns. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Michigan State University and is a U.S. Navy veteran, with active duty service overseas during Operation Enduring Freedom.