(Twitter)
With millions of eyes glued to TVs across the country, former FBI Director James Comey was called to testify in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.
But during the testimony, social media users seemed to be more concentrated on what was going on directly behind the former FBI director.
To his left is a series of media members furiously typing away on their computers, sipping coffee whenever they have a minute. To Comey’s right was a man sitting back in his chair with a crooked red tie, typing on a tablet.
Please straighten your red tie in the background. My OCD can’t take it. #Comey
That “red tie guy,” as some on social media have labeled him, is Rep. Brad Sherman, who represents California’s 30th District.
Sherman confirmed on Twitter prior to the hearing that it’s him seated “directly behind” Comey. He added that he’s looking for more evidence from Comey regarding the potential that President Donald Trump obstructed justice in meetings.
At the #ComeyHearing sitting directly behind Comey. Only one issue I am listening for: Will we hear more evidence of obstruction of justice?
Sherman, a Democrat, has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for over 20 years, and his congressional district covers the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County.
Sherman previously represented California’s 24th and 27th congressional districts, which started in 1996 when he won a general election with 49 percent of the vote. He was re-elected with 57 percent of the vote in 1998, and then won re-election bids every year with at least 62 percent support.
As a result of the 2010 census, redistricting placed Sherman in the same district as Rep. Howard Berman.
The two faced off in a 2012 primary to represent California’s 30th, and Sherman was victorious by a 42-32 margin. However, election rules put the two against each other once again in a general election.
In that election, Berman was largely considered the “establishment candidate,” being endorsed by over 20 congressmen.
But Sherman got the big-time endorsement of former President Bill Clinton, Lietenant Governor Gavin Newsom and former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukkakis. He defeated Berman in the election by a large margin (60-40), and has held the position ever since.
Sherman is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is the top Democrat on the House’s Subcommittee on Asia.
According to the Sierra Club, Sherman has earned a 100 percent environmental rating.
Sherman has been married to Lisa Nicola Kaplan since 2006. She’s works for the U.S. Department of State, where she serves as a foreign affairs officer. The couple, who reside in Sherman Oaks, California, have three children together: Molly Hannah, Naomi Claire and Lucy Rayna.
