Scott Payne is Policy Advisor for National Security at Third Way, a moderate progressive think tank. He also has a background on Capitol Hill and campaigns, beginning his career with former Senator John Breaux of Louisiana in 2001. He worked as Deputy Political Director for Veterans Outreach for the Kerry-Edwards campaign in 2004 and on two House challenger races in Pennsylvania in 2006. His most recent work on the Hill was for Representative John Hall of New York as a Legislative Assistant working on national security, foreign policy and veterans issues.

Payne has a Political Science degree from Louisiana State University and a Masters degree in Security Policy Studies from George Washington University. He is a resident of Washington, DC and is originally from Vicksburg, MS.