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John Boehner Spokesman to Become Traveling Press Aide for Paul Ryan

Michael Steel, a spokesman for Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), is slated to become the traveling press secretary for Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who has been named Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate.

Steel is the second Boehner aide to depart the Hill to staff Romney’s vice presidential pick. A Romney aide confirmed Steel’s move to the campaign role, which was first reported by Buzzfeed.

Steel joins Brendan Buck, another Boehner spokesman who recently announced he was leaving for the campaign to handle the vice presidential candidate’s press inquires from Romney’s campaign headquarters in Boston.

Dave Stewart, a Boehner policy aide, has also moved to the campaign to advise Romney on economic policy. Kevin Madden, a senior Romney adviser, is also a former Boehner aide. He worked on Romney’s 2008 presidential bid as well.

The staffers represent a bridge between Boehner and Romney – and, especially, Romney’s running mate.

Steel, 35, is one of the most visible House staffers as Boehner’s chief spokesman to the Congressional press corps.

Correction: Aug. 11, 2012

An earlier version of this story misstated Michael Steel’s age. He is 35.

A native of Durham, N.C., he received a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and first worked as a reporter before making the move to the Capitol corridors.

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