Basic Info
| First Name | Maggie |
| Last Name | Doucette |
| Username | maggiedoucette |
Progressive Profile
| Current Employer | Self |
| Current Occupation | Consultant |
| Bio | I got my start in Washington, D.C., working on public affairs and advocacy campaigns for national issues like infrastructure, financial regulation, and disaster relief. From there, I moved into PAC strategy and political giving, gaining a front-row seat to how policy gets shaped behind closed doors. Eventually, I came home to New Jersey, where I served in the State Legislature as a legislative director for two Assembly members and a State Senator, working on bills, analyzing policy, and navigating the politics of state government. In 2024, I ran for local office in my hometown as a reformer in a GOP stronghold. While I didn’t win, I built a base of support and used the momentum to launch The Beach Brief, a Substack that explains local government in plain English. It’s now a go-to resource for residents who want to understand how decisions are made, and how to get involved.
As a consultant, I help progressive candidates, coalitions, and reformers sharpen their message, clarify complex policy, and build strategy rooted in truth and trust. My work blends political storytelling, policy research, and communications that reach beyond the echo chamber. |
| Impact | Running for office in a politically hostile environment taught me how to reach voters who don’t speak the language of politics, and aren’t used to anyone asking for their vote. I built a campaign that was data-driven, emotionally intelligent, and focused on structural reform, not just partisanship. We knocked on doors, built trust, and brought new people into the fold. But the biggest impact came after the election. Instead of fading out, I doubled down on civic education. I turned my campaign blog into The Beach Brief, a civic media project that demystifies municipal budgets, council decisions, and redevelopment battles. It’s part watchdog, part decoder ring, and part civic pep talk. For communities like mine, where local media has all but disappeared, I see this as the front line of progressive infrastructure. |
| Mission | I want to close the civic information gap. I believe the future of progressive politics depends on engaging people at the hyperlocal level, where decisions feel personal, but systems are often opaque. That means building tools, media, and messaging that meet people where they are, especially outside the algorithm bubble.
In the short term, I’m testing a pilot project to use AI and municipal data to track policy decisions, identify patterns, and flag accountability gaps. Long term, I want to help other towns do what I did in mine, equip residents to understand power and reclaim it. Whether it’s as a consultant, strategist, or builder, I’m committed to shaping the next generation of civic infrastructure and bringing humanity back into local politics. |
Work History
| Employer | Maverick Strategies |
| Occupation | Self-Employed / Public Affairs Consultant |
| Start Date | January 1, 2021 |
| Employer | New Jersey State Legislature |
| Occupation | Director |
| Start Date | March 1, 2019 |
| End Date | March 1, 2020 |
| Employer | Connelly McLaughlin & Woloz (NYC) |
| Occupation | Vice President, Public Affairs |
| Start Date | February 2, 2012 |
| End Date | January 1, 2018 |
| Employer | New York Life Insurance Company (Washington, D.C.) |
| Occupation | Public Affairs Director |
| Start Date | May 5, 2011 |
| End Date | June 6, 2012 |
| Employer | American Public Works Association (Washington, D.C.) |
| Occupation | Public Affairs Manager |
| Start Date | July 6, 2007 |
| End Date | March 2, 2011 |
| Employer | National Council of State Housing Agencies (Washington, D.C.) |
| Occupation | Legislative and Policy Coordinator |
| Start Date | May 12, 2006 |
| End Date | March 1, 2007 |
Education
| School | Monmouth University |
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts – Political Science |
| Graduation Date | May 5, 2006 |
| School | Monmouth University |
| Degree | Masters in Public Policy |
| Honors and Achievements | Summa Cum Laude |
| Graduation Date | December 12, 2014 |