Meet Team Washington

Cara Matteson

Chief of Staff

Cara Matteson serves as Chief of Staff for Senator Mary Washington, bringing a strong background in public policy, social work, and community organizing to the role. She first joined the office in 2022 as a Social Work Fellow while completing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Maryland. Recognizing her exceptional contributions, Senator Washington created the Policy and Research Specialist role for Cara after her graduation, and she was later promoted to Chief of Staff.

Before working with the Senator, Cara provided constituent services in Councilman Mark Conway’s office and worked in case management for asylum seekers at AsylumWorks, a DC-based nonprofit. She has also trained young leaders nationwide in community organizing through the Obama Foundation and developed programming for The Outrage, General Assembly, and Skillshare.

Daryl Thorpe

Legislative and Constituent Coordinator

Daryl joined Senator Washington’s team in September, bringing his passion for public service and community engagement. A proud graduate of Baltimore City College, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Bowie State University.

With experience in policy and constituent services for the Baltimore City Council, Daryl is eager to apply his skills to legislative work and community advocacy. You can often find him in the district, where he is always ready to assist residents and help drive positive change.

Interested in joining Team Washington?

Internships and Fellowships

The Office of State Senator Mary Washington offers meaningful internship and fellowship opportunities for high school juniors and seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students. Our program provides hands-on experience in legislative work, policy research, and community engagement, all within a supportive and dynamic environment.

As an intern, you will develop essential skills in communication, research, and time management while gaining insight into the legislative process. You will have the flexibility to tailor your experience by selecting a focus area and will engage in activities such as:

Conducting policy research
Attending team meetings and legislative sessions
Tracking current events and legislative developments
Producing a research paper and presentation at the conclusion of your internship

Time Commitment
Internships require a commitment of 10 to 24 hours per week for a minimum of 8 weeks, with opportunities for extension and potential career growth.

How to Apply
To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and a short writing sample to mary.washington@senate.state.md.us with the subject line "Internship Application"

We encourage passionate and motivated individuals to apply and become part of our team dedicated to making a difference in Maryland!