James A. Thurber is University Distinguished Professor of Government and Founder (1979) and Former Director (1979-2016) of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. He is also an Affiliate Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Public Administration and Policy. Thurber is author or editor of over twenty books and more than 90 articles and chapters on Congress, the U.S. presidency, interest groups and lobbying, and campaigns and elections. Dr. Thurber has been honored as the American University’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year and was selected Scholar/Teacher of the Year and received the Walter Beach Pi Sigma Alpha American Political Science Association award for his work combining applied and academic research.