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Eye On Boise

Labrador hires on Minnick’s former constituent services director

GOP Congressman-elect Raul Labrador has hired outgoing Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick's constituent services director, Lisa Anderson, to be his constituent services director. "Essentially she'll be performing the same job that she was doing for Rep. Minnick," said Phil Hardy, spokesman for Labrador. "I know that his intention from the beginning was to hire the very best people who were interested in serving the 1st Congressional District, and Lisa was one of those people. They spoke and she reiterated her desire to continue to perform in her position in that role. She's extremely dedicated, and she came out as the most qualified person who had applied for the job."

Labrador had been openly complimentary of Minnick's constituent service record during the otherwise mostly testy campaign in which Labrador defeated Minnick in November. "He would always praise the job that Congressman Minnick and his team had done for constituent services," Hardy said. "And he's going to continue providing the very best level of constituent services to the people of the 1st Congressional District, absolutely."

Labrador announced the hire of Anderson, who will continue to serve in the Meridian office for the 1st District congressman, along with a slew of others late last week; they include Scott Carlton, former Lewiston regional director for then-Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage, who will take on a role similar to the one he had with Chenoweth-Hage; and a legislative assistant, Alex Etchen, who most recently worked in the same role for the National Rifle Association.

John Foster, former campaign manager and communications director for Minnick, praised Labrador's move to hire Anderson. "I used to say without joking she was the most important person in our office," Foster said. "This is one of the more savvy things I've ever seen from a political office, so kudos to him for hiring her. She's aces. She's just really, really good. ... I have to tip my hat - it's in the best interest of the constituents to keep her around." You can click below to read Labrador's full announcement of his latest new staff hires.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LABRADOR NAMES MORE CONGRESSIONAL STAFF

Boise – December 31, 2010 - Congressman-elect Raúl Labrador today added more permanent staff to both his Idaho and Washington, D.C. offices.

“This latest group of individuals brings unique talents and experience to our team,” said Labrador. “The people of the First Congressional District will benefit greatly by their efforts in providing constituent service.”

For his Lewiston office, Labrador has hired Scott Carlton as regional director.  Carlton, who attended the University of Idaho, served in a similar position for the late U.S. Representative Helen Chenoweth.

In his Meridian office, Kitty Kunz has been appointed constituent services specialist.  Kunz, from Pocatello, has served on the Congressional staff of both Congressman Mike Simpson as well as former Congressman Bill Sali.  In addition, she was a previous director of the Idaho Women’s Commission.

Also added to the Meridian office are Lisa Anderson and Tori Shockey.  Lisa Anderson, an ISU graduate, will be constituent services manager.  Anderson first attended BYU where she worked on the campaign of longtime Republican Senator Bob Bennett.  She most recently worked as a legislative assistant in the Idaho Senate and was constituent services director for Congressman Walt Minnick.  Tori Shockey will be staff assistant and was most recently volunteer coordinator for the Labrador for Idaho campaign team.  She is a cum laude graduate of Boise State University with a degree in political science.

For his Washington, D.C. office, Congressman-elect Labrador has hired Alex Etchen and Kyle Smith.  Etchen will serve as legislative assistant/legislative correspondent while Smith will be staff assistant.  Etchen is a graduate of Penn State University and most recently served as a legislative assistant for the National Rifle Association. Smith graduated from BYU Idaho and served as an intern for both the Heritage Foundation and Idaho Senator Jim Risch.

Finally, Congressman-elect Labrador announces the hiring of Aaron Calkins as regional director for northern Idaho and Judith Morbeck as staff assistant, both to be based in Coeur d’Alene.  Aaron gained his undergraduate degree from Boise State University before moving to Washington, DC to work on the Hill.  His time there included a posting on the staff of Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio).  He returned to Idaho where he furthered his education by attending and graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law.  Judith is a graduate of the University of Idaho where she received a doctorate in education administration/special education.  A native Idahoan, she has lived in Hayden Lake for over 30 years and has also been very active in the community.

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Phil Hardy
Regional Director
Southwest and Central Idaho
Office of Congressman-Elect Raul Labrador
 



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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