Weekly Newsletter

April Special

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Caught Our Eye

Rep. Steve King's (R-Iowa) new top aide wrote the book on grassroots advocacy. Literally.

In 2007, Stanford University Press published Chris Hull's book, "Grassroots Rule: How the Iowa Caucus Helps Elect American Presidents," which grew out of his Ph.D. work.

Hull has worked as a grassroots advocate for more than two decades. After a summer internship with President George H.W. Bush in the summer of 1992, he volunteered for the president's unsuccessful 1992 campaign. Since Bush's failed re-election bid, Hull has worked on numerous Republican causes at both the national and state levels. He assisted the Republican National Committee's Young Voter Program as a media volunteer, served as the Republican Caucus staff director in the Iowa Senate and started his own grassroots-website, BlastRoots, in 2011.

Hull does not only bring advocacy expertise to the Hill. From 1992-1993, he served as a legislative assistant and legislative correspondent for Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.). The following year, he became the press secretary for Rep. Jon Lynn Christensen (R-Neb.). In addition, the Harvard graduate has worked for public affairs powerhouses DCI Group and Hill+Knowlton.

The Iowan congressman is facing a tough re-election bid against an Iraq War veteran, Jim Mowrer. His Democratic opponent out-fundraised him for the past two consecutive quarters.

Trending Staffers› learn more

Rich Swayze (current staffer) – Bravo!
Flies high at FAA
Brianne K. Nadeau (former staffer) – Bravo!
Gets boost from ethics-weary voters
Kristine Joy Lucius (current staffer) – Don't Know
Matt Leffingwell (current staffer) – Bravo!
Marries Missoula maiden
Sandy Luff (current staffer) – Don't Know

Hill Hires

Dave Kuntz, Sen. John Walsh (D-MT), Deputy Press Secretary
Dan Rafter, Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Communications Director
David M. Wihby (Dave), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), State Director

Hill Departures

Madeline Nykaza, now Legislative Analyst for National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, formerly Legislative Assistant to Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
Eric J. Layer, now Vice President of Communications and Member Relations for Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico, formerly Communications Director to Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Brian T. Weiss, now Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications for TechNet, formerly Communications Director to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

Hill Moves and Promotions

J. Alexander Harman (Alex), now Chief of Staff for Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV)
(formerly Staff Director/General Counsel)
Rachel A. Bovard, now Policy Adviser for Senate Republican Steering Committee, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA)
(formerly Legislative Director to Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY))
Mark A. Aitken II, now Legislative Director for Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)
(formerly Senior Policy Adviser)

Revolvers

Virginia Sessions (Ginny),
Lobbies for: National Down Syndrome Society
Most recent congressional employment: Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
Erica L. Elliott,
Lobbies for: Crowell and Moring LLP
Most recent congressional employment: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Republican Whip
William W. Sehestedt (Will),
Lobbies for: Transportation Intermediaries Association
Most recent congressional employment: Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Top hashtags of the week

#obamacare – (409 mentions)
#gopbudget – (234 mentions)
#renewui – (190 mentions)
#aca – (185 mentions)
#raisethewage – (180 mentions)