Mr. Halataei has been a trusted advisor to three different Members of Congress and a key policy analyst at one of Washington’s most respected think-tanks for nearly a decade.  Before that, he was one of the most effective young political operatives in Virginia. 

Before joining the Stanton Park Group, Mr. Halataei served as Legislative Director for Rep. Randy Forbes (VA), where he supervised the Congressman’s legislative staff and oversaw his legislative agenda on the House Judiciary and Armed Services Committees.  In particular, he oversaw Forbes’ work on the Intellectual Property Subcommittee and his appropriations request.

As Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Steve Largent (OK), a member of the powerful House Commerce Committee, Mr. Halataei was instrumental in helping Largent negotiate key provisions of the Financial Services Modernization Act during a contentious House-Senate Conference and in passing legislation to sunset the internal revenue code.  He was the Congressman’s principal legislative strategist on issues involving health (including Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security), the environment, financial services, and taxation.  He also served as Congressman Largent’s liaison to the Republican Study Committee.

Before that, Mr. Halataei was Legislative Assistant to Rep. Gil Gutknecht (MN), where he advised the Congressman on matters involving children, financial services, education, government reform and labor relations.

Mr. Halataei began his career in Washington as Special Assistant to James C. Miller, III, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in his capacity as Counselor to Citizens for a Sound Economy, one of Washington’s most respected free market think-tanks. 

As Executive Director of the College Republican Federation of Virginia, he doubled that organization’s membership and coordinated ground operations that in one statewide campaign alone distributed and collected 8,000 absentee ballot applications. 

Mr. Halataei is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration.