Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) has hired Jamie Burnett to take over as legislative director in his Washington, D.C., office. In addition to serving as the Senator’s primary staffer for issues related to the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, he will oversee the legislative staff and Sununu’s responsibilities as Deputy Majority Whip.

Burnett has served with the Senator since his election campaign in 2002, working then as the statewide field director. After Sununu was elected to the Senate, Burnett joined the Washington office as a senior legislative assistant, the title he held until early this year. Before joining Sununu, Burnett worked in the office of Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) as a legislative assistant and legislative correspondent.

Burnett, 32, holds three degrees from the University of New Hampshire. In 1995, he received a bachelor’s in political science; in 1996, he received a master’s in public administration; and in 1998, he received a master’s in teaching. Burnett hails from Dover, N.H.

Gibbons Gambles on New Staff. Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.) is hoping for a sure thing when it comes to his new staff, hiring three and promoting three to fill out his Washington, D.C., office.

Amy Spanbauer, 28, has been promoted to chief of staff. She will be responsible for managing all four of Gibbons’ offices. She started with the Congressman in 1998 and has served in almost every capacity a staffer can, including staff assistant, legislative correspondent, legislative assistant, press secretary and deputy chief of staff.

Before joining the Gibbons team, Spanbauer interned for Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). The Monroe, Conn., native graduated from Lafayette College with a bachelor’s in international affairs and economics and business.

Jason Poreda, 23, has been hired as a staff assistant. Poreda previously served in the office of Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.), first as an intern, then as a staff assistant in the Member’s Tucson district office. The Westwood, Mass., native graduated from the University of Arizona in 2004 with a bachelor’s in communication and political science.

Tray Abney, 24, has been promoted to legislative assistant. He will handle issues related to transportation, the judiciary, immigration, veterans, government reform and Web site development.

Previously, Abney interned in the district offices of House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), and he has worked in Gibbons’ office since late 2003, when he was hired as a staff assistant. The Springfield, Mo., native holds a bachelor’s in political science from Southwest Missouri State University, and he will receive his master’s from George Washington University in May.

Melissa Subbotin, 24, has been hired as a press assistant and will help with the preparation of press clips and press releases, columns, weekly newsletters and press secretary briefings. Prior to joining Gibbons’ staff, Subbotin served as a staff assistant to then-Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.). The Fair Oaks, Calif., native graduated from San Diego State University in 2004 with a bachelor’s in political science.

Cory Kennedy, 26, has been promoted to legislative director. Kennedy has served for the Representative since early 2002, when he began as a staff assistant. He hails from Reno, Nev., and holds a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Colorado, which he received in 2001.

Emy Lesofski, 31, has been brought on board as the legislative assistant for resources. Lesofski has worked for several offices on the Hill, starting with then-Rep. Rick Hill (R-Mont.) and his successor, Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.).

She returns to the Hill after a brief stint as a consultant in Southern California. Lesofski graduated from Brigham Young University in 1998 with a bachelor’s in political science. She hails from Costa Mesa, Calif.

McKenzie Coon, 25, has been promoted to legislative assistant. Coon will handle issues related to Social Security, the budget, taxes, labor and telecommunications. She has worked for Gibbons since late 2003, serving first as a staff assistant and then as a legislative correspondent. The Tucson, Ariz., native graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2002 with a bachelor’s in journalism.