Mark Linton

Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (since May 2009)

(Department of
Housing and Urban Development)

Why He Matters

Linton has bounced between politics and policy for most of his professional career. After five years with Catholic Charities, Linton joined then Sen. Barack Obama's office as a legislative aide focused on poverty.

But in 2007, he took over Obama's effort to capture the Catholic vote during the 2008 presidential election. He was very successful - Obama won Catholic-heavy swing states like Pennsylvania. Now, he'll be combining his passion for social justice and his religious background to run HUD's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

More on: Mark Linton

At a Glance
Path to Power
The Issues
The Network
Campaign Contributions
Additional Resources

Corrections?

Background

At a Glance

Career History: Campaign adviser, President Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign (2007 to 2008); Legislative Aid, Sen. Barack Obama (2005 to 2007); Consultant, Catholic Relief Services (2000 to 2005)
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Alma Mater: University of Kentucky, B.A., 1998; Harvard Kennedy School, M.A., 1999

Religion: Catholic
Web site

Path to Power

Linton was born in Louisville, Ky. He attended the University of Kentucky in 1998 and went on to earn a master's in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School in 1999.

He moved to Baltimore to work for Catholic Relief Services, a non-profit organization that is closely tied to the church. He served assignments in the Balkans, the Caucasus and South America.

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The Issues

At HUD, Linton has pledged to "help empower and meet the needs of millions of low-income Americans around the country." He said his office will serve as a resource for community organizers and local charities, particularly those that are faith-based.

Part of his job, he explained, will be bringing different stake-holders together for conferences, grant trainings and meetings. Linton hopes that these groups will share ideas and experiences.

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The Network

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Linton worked closely with Obama's faith outreach team, including Joshua DuBois, now director of the office of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships in the White House and Mara Vanderslice, the office's liaison to the President's Advisory Council.

Sources say Linton also lobbied hard for the White House to appoint Miguel Diaz, a theologian with no record of supporting abortion, to the post of ambassador to the Vatican.

Campaign Contributions

According to Open Secrets, Linton has not made any campaign contributions over the last decade.

Additional Resources