Fictional Franchise: The ‘Mad Men’ Edition
For the latest edition of our series that examines fictional characters and the real people who represent them in Congress, we explore “Mad Men.”
The rules go like this: We decide where fictional characters live and then look up who represents them in the House. (Learn more here.)
The “Mad Man” edition will include the most up-to-date addresses in the series. While the “Mad Men” universe is currently in 1968, we are using current members and district lines because we get to make up the rules. And this was written before the season finale, so a character’s congressional representation is not subject to death or getting kicked out of one’s home.
Yes, we know, in the words of Don Draper, this edition of Fictional Franchise is a bit “complicated.”
Don and Megan Draper (Jon Hamm and Jessica Paré)
Upper East Side, New York City
Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney
There have been numerous references over the past two seasons to the Drapers’ Park Avenue address, but one of the most recent was Sally’s call to the police during “Grandma” Ida’s visit. Maloney’s silk-stocking section of Manhattan is rife with other characters from Fictional Franchises past, including Holden Caulfield and Eloise.
Thanks to his impulsive personal life, Don has lived in several House districts over the course of the series. He began “Mad Men” as a constituent of Rep. Nita M. Lowey, D-N.Y., when he lived with his first wife, Betty, and their children in Ossining. After Betty kicked him out, he moved to Greenwich Village and into Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler’s 10th District.
It’s been an Exodus-ian existence. Rodents, muggers and vandals all plagued Peggy and Abe. We do not anticipate Peggy to stick around for long.
She was a Brooklyn girl before she became an Uptown Girl. In the first season, she states that she is from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The New York Times recently profiled that nabe, which is part of GOP Rep. Michael G. Grimm’s home turf.
Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks)
Greenwich Village, New York City
Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler
As of Season 2, Joan’s driver’s license said she lives on the northern edge of Greenwich Village.
In fact, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has a whole layout of “Mad Men” scenes and settings in the Village.
Besides Peggy and Joan, there are a number of other Fictional Franchise characters who live in Nadler’s West Side Manhattan district. They include: Peter Warren Hatcher from “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and the psycho from “Fatal Attraction.”
Betty and Henry Francis (January Jones and Christopher Stanley)
Rye, N.Y.
Democratic Rep. Eliot L. Engel
The only person more politically ambitious than Henry is Betty. Engel ought to watch his back.
Pete and Trudy Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser and Alison Brie)
Cos Cob, Conn.
Democratic Rep. Jim Himes
Yes, Pete is back in the city. But it is our determination that, amid all of his chaos, he has not switched his voter registration. Plus, of late, he has only referred to his marital situation as “separated.”
Their less-than-happy home is in “the country,” out in Connecticut’s 4th District, a fact that that excited the locals.
Sally Draper (Kiernan Shipka)
Farmington, Conn.
Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Esty
Sally is so done with both Betty and Don. So, as of this writing, she was all systems go to attend the exclusive Miss Porter‘s boarding school.
Still, there is no need to campaign to Sally; she’s not of age to vote yet.
Dawn Chambers (Teyonah Parris)
Harlem, New York City
Democratic Rep. Charles B. Rangel
We are still learning about Dawn, but she is one of our favorite new characters this year. And she has the same name as her male boss.
We determined her residence courtesy of the folks at WNYC, who produced a map that is the greatest thing ever for any fan of Fictional Franchise and “Mad Men.”
Anna Draper (Melinda Page Hamilton)
San Pedro, Calif.
Democratic Rep. Janice Hahn
Before Anna, the wife of the real Don Draper, died of cancer, she formed an unlikely friendship with her husband’s impostor. But (the fake) Don made regular trips out to her Los Angeles-area home in Hahn’s 44th District.
Our friends at Curbed LA helped us here.
Previous Installments:
