Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) picked her new chief of staff last week, choosing Ashley Westbrook Turton to succeed Herb Giobbi, who is leaving the office to return to the private sector.

Turton has been on the staff for five years, beginning as DeLauro’s press secretary, moving up to leadership aide and floor assistant, and finally serving as senior policy adviser before her latest promotion. In a release, DeLauro praised her longtime employee, stating that the promotion “represents the culmination of many years on my staff in which [Turton] has worked as an effective communicator and strong leader.”

The Raleigh, N.C., native worked in Tar Heel State politics for several years, including stints in the offices of then-Gov. Jim Hunt (D) and then-Attorney General Mike Easley (D), before making the trek to Washington. Turton holds a bachelor’s in political science from North Carolina State University, which she received in 1997.

New Aide for Blunt. House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) hired Heidi Armstrong last week to serve as a press assistant in his Office of the Majority Whip. She replaces Laurent Crenshaw, who will take over as senior legislative assistant in Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-Calif.) office.

Armstrong previously served as a press assistant in the office of public affairs at the Commerce Department, and her effort there impressed Blunt. “Her hard work communicating the President’s pro-growth policies will be an asset,” Blunt said in a press release.

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Armstrong graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s in political science and journalism. [IMGCAP(1)]

Udall Promotes Three, Hires One. Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) has made a number of moves around his Washington, D.C., office.

Jody Haskins, 22, will serve as legislative correspondent; she is moving to Washington after having served in the Congressman’s Westminster, Colo., district office.

Previously, Haskins worked as the 2004 campaign field director for Udall’s re-election campaign. Originally from Canon City, Colo., Haskins attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated with a bachelor’s in political science.

Bryan Howard, 23, has been promoted from legislative correspondent and systems administrator to legislative assistant. In his new role, Howard will cover issues related to transportation, agriculture, small business, housing and rural development.

Prior to joining Udall’s office in 2003, Howard served on Tom Strickland’s Senate campaign. A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Howard graduated from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., with a bachelor’s in political science.

Kaitlyn O’Hara, 23, has been promoted from legislative correspondent to legislative assistant. She will handle Udall’s assignments on the House Science Committee, as well as issues related to immigration, telecommunications, technology and education. Originally from Littleton, Colo., O’Hara graduated from Catholic University in 2002 with a bachelor’s in politics.

Valerie Nosler, 23, has been hired as a staff assistant. The Boulder native interned in Udall’s Westminster office during the fall of 2004 before graduating from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s in technical journalism.