Mike Panetta was elected to the position of "U.S. Representative" in the District of Columbia in 2006. The position is often referred to as the "Shadow Representative" or "Statehood Representative" and should not be confused with the office of Delegate to Congress, which is currently held by Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Mike is a leading voice in the efforts to grant the District of Columbia full Congressional representation and statehood. He has run several high-profile campaigns for DC representation including starting an Olympic curling team for the District and leading efforts to rebrand RFK Stadium as "Taxation Without Representation Field" Mike has also worked to make the DC voting rights issue a national one that is embraced by progressive activists across the country.