Hamilton’s Program in Washington, D.C. recently met former six-term Delaware Congressman Mike Castle ’61 at his DC office of DLA Piper. DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 30 countries. Castle also served as Delaware’s governor for two terms.
Given the DC Program's focus on current DC politics and reform possibilities, Castle discussed the various governance and political challenges facing the nation and especially the federal government. He noted that though the current challenges are not entirely new, they are more formidable than in the recent past. In particular, Castle cited recent changes in legislative re-districting, campaign finance, and the media landscape as contributing to governmental dysfunction.
Based on their DC experiences and extensive reading, the students asked detailed questions about his experiences in Congress, as Delaware's governor, and on the campaign trail. Castle also discussed his experiences at Hamilton, and the changes there since his day.