Top 25 Fictional DC Resident: #17 Josh Lyman

Name: Josh Lyman
Occupation: White House Chief of Staff

Josh Lyman is the quintessential DC-transplant, politico success story. After Harvard and Yale law school, Josh moved to Washington D.C. where he served several years in various positions with both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In 1998 Josh left Capitol Hill to work on John Hoynes’ presidential campaign. However after hearing Jed Bartlet, Hoynes’ competitor, speak at an engagement Josh was so inspired that he immediately resigned from Hoynes’ campaign to work for Bartlett. After Bartlett’s presidential victory Josh was hired as Deputy White House Chief of Staff.

After seven years with the Bartlett Administration, Josh resigned to run dark-horse Matt Santos’ presidential campaign. Josh’s masterful campaign strategies secured the presidency for Santos. The new President rewarded Josh’s dedication and drive with the position of White House Chief of Staff.

Josh is considered by many to be a cocky know-it-all, but no one has ever accused him of laying down on the job. In fact Josh’s passion for achieving great things for his country is so consuming that his only real friends are those who work around him, most notably Donna Moss, Toby Ziegler, and C.J. Craig.

Originally published on September 7, 2006.

This was part of a series the Metroblog DC authors did. Sadly, the link to the other characters is no longer active on Metroblog DC.