David Mason of Virginia and Darryl Wold of Newport Beach, California, have been confirmed by the United States Senate to become members of the Federal Election Commission. The six-member commission runs the agency that regulates campaign finance, enforces election law, and administers public funding of Presidential elections.
Both men are alumni of Claremont McKenna College.
"It is unusual for a college with so few alumni to have such a presence in the highest levels of business and government," says John Pitney, a former GOP staffer who teaches government at Claremont McKenna College. "With David Dreier [Claremont McKenna College Class of 1975] set to become chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee and two of the six members of the F.E.C. now alumni, CMC is developing quite a reputation in Washington."
Darryl Wold is an attorney with extensive experience in business and election law. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 1967 and is a member of the California Political Attorneys Association. He also is active in his community as a member of the Orange County Sheriff's Advisory Council and of the public affairs organization Speak Up Newport. After earning B.A. from Claremont McKenna College in 1963, Wold earned his law degree from Stanford University. He is a Republican.
Prior to his confirmation, David Mason was a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a leading public policy think tank based in Washington, DC. While at Heritage, Mason directed congressional studies and government relations. He has also served in the Bush administration as deputy assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs, and as a key congressional aide to Senators Trent Lott, John Warner, and Congressman Tom Bliley. He is active in his home community of Lovettsville, Virginia and was the Republican nominee in his district for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1982. He earned a B.A. in political science from Claremont McKenna College in 1979.
Claremont McKenna College is a highly selective independent liberal arts college preparing students for responsible leadership in business and public affairs. CMC enrolls 1,000 students and is a member of The Claremont Colleges.