Heritage Action for America is losing three staffers, including its top House lobbyist, to a trio of newbies in the 114th Congress.  

Freshman Rep. Dave Brat, the Virginia Republican who famously unseated then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a June primary contest, has tapped Heritage’s Erin Siefring as his chief of staff. Siefring has been the conservative group’s chief liaison with House members. “One of the great roles of having a permanent 300-person institution is that people take what they learn here and spread that throughout the universe,” said Heritage Action for America’s CEO Michael Needham.  

“We couldn’t be where we are without Erin,” he added, noting that her joining Brat’s staff “gives me tremendous confidence” for the freshman lawmaker’s future.  

Heritage is also losing Cari Kelly, a legislative strategist, to the office of incoming Rep. Gary Palmer, an Alabama Republican, who will replace retiring Rep. Spencer Bachus. She will be the new lawmaker’s legislative director.  

At Heritage, Kelly, a native Alabaman, focused on immigration, financial services and social issues.  

And Katherine Rosario is departing the Heritage communications team to serve as incoming Colorado Rep. Ken Buck’s communications director.  

“Having people on the Hill that think the way we think is certainly good for what we’re trying to achieve,” Needham said.  

The revolving-door at the conservative group is spinning both ways.  

Thomas Binion, who is joining as Heritage’s new legislative strategist, hails from the office of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, where he was legislative director. And Sondra Clark is returning to Heritage as the group’s digital director from a stint with the Republican National Committee.  

“For me, the story is the excitement of Sondra coming back and [Binion] coming over,” Needham said.  

The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress


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