Labrador’s chief of staff latest to leave

BISMARCK, N.D. – An industry group that promotes burning brown coal for energy poached the top staffer of U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, marking the latest in a slew of departures from the ranks of the second-term Republican.

The Lignite Energy Council on Wednesday named Jason Bohrer, Labrador’s chief of staff, as its president and chief executive officer.

Bohrer will replace John Dwyer in late July at the Bismarck, N.D.-based group. Dwyer is leaving the group after more than 30 years.

Labrador represents the western region of Idaho. Bohrer previously worked for Idaho Sen. Jim Risch.

On Friday, Bohrer said Labrador’s office would be releasing a statement after the weekend, outlining staff changes after at least nine departures in the past year and detailing the congressman’s efforts to fill the void. Bohrer declined to disclose details on the other departures.

“On Monday we should be fully staffed and will also have a press release that day that will go over the recent changes and additions in our office, along with their new roles and responsibilities,” he said.

Labrador declined a request for an interview Friday.

Bohrer lasted about a half-year in the chief of staff post. He replaced John Goodwin last December.

Other recent, high-profile departures from Labrador’s office include spokesman Phil Hardy, who was fired in February after sending an errant Twitter message in the congressman’s name.

District director Jake Ball quit this month, almost immediately after his former employer, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, publicly disclosed that Ball had loaned one of his high school buddies $250,000 from political donor contributions.

Amanda Leamer, a legislative assistant, and Michael Tate, Labrador’s spokesman in Washington, D.C., since just Feb. 13, have also exited.

And Kari Smith, a former Labrador legislative assistant, left in April for a job in government affairs at petroleum giant ConocoPhillips.