On the lighter side of politics

Nathan Britton
Age: 35
Political party: Democrat
Hometown: Hamilton, Mass.
Dating status: In a relationship

Nathan Britton doesn't like the spotlight. He demurred the last two times he was nominated for The Hill's "50 Most Beautiful." Only after some cajoling from his girlfriend did he agree to participate in this year's rankings. "I prefer to be behind the scenes," Britton explains.

The long-lashed Britton has been communications director to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) for about three years. But politics wasn't his lifelong dream. He was turned off by the corruption until a stint in Santiago, Chile, where he taught English and completed some graduate studies. It was an "eye-opening experience" that convinced him of the need to get involved, he says.

One of the brainier hunks on Capitol Hill, Britton completed a double major in literature and film at Occidental College in California. While in Chile, he penned a 25-page thesis in Spanish on the philosopher Jacques Derrida. He's an avid reader and enjoys delving into the substance of policy for his job.

Britton's not all serious, though. He loves to cook and used to play the guitar and bass in a band called "The Cables." A soccer freak, he plays the sport three times a week. While on a recent trip to Ireland with his girlfriend, they flew to London just to watch the Tottenham Hotspur beat Aston Villa. Britton's secret talent: A dead-on impersonation of Christopher Walken.

I do an impression of a cowbell.