Lynch’s New LA
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) has hired a replacement for his previous legislative assistant on foreign affairs, Laura Moranchek. Moranchek left to pursue a law degree at Yale University.
Alexandra Toma, 25, will be Lynch’s assistant on foreign policy, defense, immigration, trade, budget, science, energy and the environment. She was born in Bucharest, Romania, but grew up in Long Island after her parents moved to the United States in 1984.
Toma attended the University of Virginia for her undergraduate work, graduating with a bachelor’s in foreign affairs, psychology and French. For her graduate work, she attended Georgetown University and received a master’s in foreign policy and security.
Prior to coming to work for Lynch, Toma worked at DFI International as a senior analyst, working on projects for the Defense Department.
Little Hired by Martinez. Sen.-elect Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) has hired the chief of staff for his Washington, D.C., office.
John Little, 32, has been brought on board to head the Senator’s staff. A native of Mobile, Ala., Little had previously worked for Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.). He started with Sessions in 1996 as a volunteer on his election campaign and worked his way up to legislative director in 2003.
The Alabaman graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s in 1996, and he received a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in 1997. Sen.-elect Martinez hopes “John’s vast Senate experience will help me to hit the ground running.”
[IMGCAP(1)]Davis Chooses McBride. Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) has picked Brandi McBride to fill the position of legislative director.
McBride, 26, replaces Cicely Simpson and will handle all appropriation matters and work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in addition to running the office when the chief of staff is not in and performing other “general duties.”
After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in political science and Spanish, the Franklin, Tenn., native went straight to work on the Hill. She first served with now-retired Rep. Bob Clement (D-Tenn.), working her way up the ladder from intern to legislative correspondent.
After Clement lost his race for the Senate seat now occupied by Lamar Alexander (R), McBride began lobbying for a position in Davis’ office because “sticking to Tennessee Members was important” to her. She was hired as a legislative assistant just before his inauguration and has since worked her way up to legislative director.