Leon J. Stafford

Leonard "Leon" James Stafford (born 15th February 1857) is a Vesperian politician currently serving as the first-class senior United States Senator from Presteria. As the longest-serving member of the senate, he holds the position of president pro tempore of the United States Senate, granting him precedence within the chamber and entitling him to preside over sessions of the senate, which he does on a regular basis. He ascended to this position following the retirement of Augustine L. Hamilton, then Senator from Totford, who chose to not stand for reelection in the 1914 midterm elections.

Stafford previously served for one term as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Presteria's 6th District, before leaving that seat after being elected by the Presteria legislature to serve as senator. He is also known in the senate for his willingness to compromise and pursuit of bipartisan deals on meaningful legislation. Especially during the periods of 1899 - 1905 and 1913 - 1917, under Progressive administrations, he became known as "The Great Compromiser" in the Senate for his work on deals. While in the Senate, he had a reputation as one of the more moderate Federalists, placing on the liberal wing of the party.