D.C. Field Notes is intended for independent thinkers, self-starting entrepreneurs, and those who choose to forge their own path despite minefields and obstacles.

And if you reject risk-averse career models, the 9 to 5 suburban rat race, the empty pursuit of “keeping up with the Joneses,” and the tiresome faux certitude of low information partisans — on both sides — you’re in the right place.

I’m Gordon Hensley — I hit D.C. in 1980 aiming to break into GOP politics, dropping in and out of college a few times along the way to do so. My approach didn’t go over well on the home front — but I had my own process and thoughts.

My eventual career in political campaigns, Capitol Hill and consulting was strictly DIY — trial and error improvisation… much like the live music scene to which I’m drawn. This experiential, self-directed approach to D.C. professional life isn’t for those clinging to naive expectations about “how things should go.”

This background is neither better nor worse than anyone else’s. It’s just different.

My worldview skews libertarian and pro-free-market, but I’m no rigid ideologue. My friends and colleagues span the ideological spectrum — far-right, far-left, and everywhere in-between — same with my preferred news sources. I tend to spend time around thoughtful people dedicated to professional success, thoughtful dialogue, lack of pretense, and the increasingly rare ability in D.C. to just chill out.

Here I’ll share professional trials and tribulations, lessons learned, and how stubbornly sticking to my approach — initially disastrous — gradually evolved into a major competitive advantage in the political and consulting world.

Pull up a chair.

What will be covered, and in which narrative genre?

D.C. Field Notes will feature commentary and observations on current events, politics, business, consulting, journalism, media, music, and broader cultural topics — with a blend of longer-form essays, 500-1000 word posts, Q and A interviews, reviews, links, and other developmental formats.

Posts will generally pertain to an event, situation or encounter dating from my 1980 arrival in D.C. through today in 2025 — yes, that covers a lot of ground.

Key areas of focus:

First hand experiences, stories and lessons learned working on numerous presidential, senate and gubernatorial campaigns across the country;

• How Capitol Hill and the K Street lobbying and consulting scenes work;

• Strategies for sustaining long-term business independence, and how to build a solo niche practice or 2-3 person LLC or S-Corp micro firm;

• How to survive and navigate a high profile campaign defeat and your return to D.C. financially and professionally vulnerable;

Outside the Box Perspective, Candor — I’ve made plenty of mistakes. Highlighting only wins without the defeats is boring as f__k — and typical of the insufferable Beltway mindset of whitewashing failures, foibles and fiascos from which to gain insight and a touch of sardonic D.C. humor.

Positive recollections, remembrances and behind the scenes anecdotes about interesting lawmakers, candidates, journalists, fellow consultants, lobbyists, musicians, concert cronies, and myriad fascinating characters I’ve encountered along the way. And gratuitous negativity directed at those with whom I disagree is out — that’s just not where I’m coming from.

More about Gordon Hensley:

I’m originally from Brooklyn, then grew up north of NYC in Westchester County, and later in the Boston area.

I started college in 1980 at George Washington University (GWU). But I quickly found watching Senate and House floor action at the Capitol far more compelling than studying political science in a classroom.

I was also into music — occasionally busking at DC Metro stations and even landing a few solo acoustic gigs at a Georgetown-area dive bar. I also spent considerable time skipping class to see Grateful Dead shows. Before a long-shot 1984 House race win changed my trajectory, the early 80s was about music, waiting tables for cashflow, trying to land a Capitol Hill job without a college degree, and basic survival.

Big surprise: this didn’t end well.

Beyond the areas of focus detailed in the prior section, I’ll eventually be publishing stories — via serialized installments — about those first tumultuous early years inside the Beltway.

It’s a bit different from your typical D.C. origin story.

D.C. Field Notes is my newly-consolidated platform for first-person writing, essays and personal narrative.

After 30+ years writing and creating content for GOP candidates, lawmakers and business interests — mostly campaign speeches, congressional testimony, op-eds, CEO remarks, strategy memos, and other rhetorical ephemera — writing here on Substack is a refreshing diversion.

I still maintain a D.C. presence but spend the vast majority of time working out of my Blue Ridge area farmhouse office — 54 miles west of downtown Washington, in The Plains, VA.

How Much to Subscribe?

Always free…

In my case, I don’t view Substack as a vehicle to monetize life experiences.

I’m just thankful to the many kind folks through the years who’ve generously shared their wisdom, insights and time since wandering around Capitol Hill decades ago looking for any paying job — or just an interview.

Freely-recounting historically relevant stories, recollections, lessons and anecdotes to anyone interested, or who might benefit, is fitting compensation.

Have a great day.