Joe Solmonese



Joe Solmonese was appointed President of the Human Rights Campaign of the United States and its affiliate, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, on March 9, 2005. A native of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Solmonese, aged 40 at the time of his appointment, lives in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Boston University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications.

Solmonese is the former Chief Executive Officer of EMILY's List, where he oversaw one of the nation's prominent pro-choice Democratic political action committees.

Solmonese developed the Political Opportunity Program (POP) for state and local candidates to ensure a stream of viable, electable women candidates. In 2004, the second cycle of the program's operation, EMILY's List helped elect 141 women, changing the legislative makeup in Colorado, Vermont, North Carolina, Washington and Oregon.

Solmonese has worked for numerous campaigns and in government positions. He held top fundraising positions at the 1992 Senate campaign of Les AuCoin and Barney Frank's 1990 Congressional campaign. Solmonese began his career as an aide in the office of Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis.

He now co-hosts "The Agenda" on XM Satellite Radio.

Solmonese appeared on the 6 & 7 February 2008 episodes of The Colbert Report, sitting down for an interview with American comedian Stephen Colbert.