Patrick Baskette a Managing Director of Mercury/Clark & Weinstock. A nationally-recognized expert in grassroots advocacy and coalition building efforts, Mr. Baskette brings more than twenty years of experience as a senior Democratic Party operative and public affairs strategist to the firm. With a strong background in state politics, public affairs and Capitol Hill, Mr. Baskette directs Mercury’s 50-state network of bi-partisan political operatives. The firm excels in creating grassroots and grasstops mobilization efforts that connect with constituencies to affect priority decision makers. Baskette’s experience in Congress and in the political campaign arena has allowed him to devise winning strategies at the state and federal levels for corporate and coalition-based clients in such high-profile industries as energy & environment, healthcare, international trade, financial services, telecommunications, and consumer products.

Prior to joining Mercury, Mr. Baskette ran his own grassroots and public affairs firm, and previously served as president of Troutman Sanders’ Public Policy Group and as a principal with Dewey Square Group. Mr. Baskette’s political experience includes serving as special assistant to then-Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), and chief of staff to Congressman Owen Pickett (D-VA). Additionally, he has held senior roles in the State Democratic Parties of Tennessee and Virginia, and he currently serves as a board member and public affairs committee member for the Tampa, Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Based in Washington, DC and Tampa, Florida, Mr. Baskette is married to Margaret Lee Baskette, Esq and has two daughters, Mary-Elizabeth and Izabelle. He holds a M.A. in Political Science from the American University and a B.A. from the University of Memphis.