Smith solidifies his congressional staff

ST. LOUIS — After a week of getting their feet on the ground, staff for newly elected Congressman Jason Smith officially have landed into their new roles.

Since last Tuesday, three campaign employees — Josh Haynes, Justin Gibbs and Ross Branson — have been hired as members of Smith’s congressional staff.

Haynes, who was Smith’s campaign manager, will now act as Smith’s chief of staff and will run the Cape Girardeau district office.

Speaker of the House John Boehner, left, swears in U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, right. Top photo: About 15 minutes from the polls closing, Justin Gibbs, Smith's press coordinator, briefed him on media groups that they would need to contact after results are in. — Speaker of the House John Boehner, left, swears in U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, right.
Top photo: About 15 minutes from the polls closing, Justin Gibbs, Smith’s press coordinator, briefed him on media groups that they would need to contact after results are in.

Continuing his experience with media relations, Justin Gibbs is working as Smith’s communication director and administrative assistant. Gibbs said his job will include a lot of day-to-day activities around the office, as well as continuing what he did for Smith during the campaign: working with the media and sending out information about what’s happening in D.C.

“I want to make sure people back home understand what’s happening here in D.C.,” Gibbs told The Missouri Times. “The campaign was all about ideas and being in office is about turning those ideas into action.”

Branson will be operating one of the other three district offices in Rolla. The other two offices are in Farmington and West Plains, Mo.

The final staffer, Ryan Hart, spent years working with Smith, but wasn’t directly involved in the campaign. Previously Chief of Staff for Smith when he was Speaker Pro Tem in the Missouri House, Hart is now working in their Washington D.C. office as the legislative director.

“My staff has a tremendous amount of experience working for families who call the 8th District home,” Smith said about having his staff continue with him in his new role. “I am proud of the team we have put together and know they will make my constituents proud.”

With one week in, Gibbs said he things the most daunting aspect of the new role will be one he’s already familiar with: keeping up with Smith.

“He’s going to wear us out,” Gibbs joked. “He works harder than anyone I’ve ever been around. I can tell it will be a lot of hard work, but it will be rewarding.”

Shortly after all of the staff was in place, the office announced Wednesday that Smith was appointed to the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees.

“The Judiciary Committee will be tackling some of the biggest issues facing our country,” Smith said in the release, listing immigration reform and government surveillance as two issues the committee will play a crucial role in.

Smith also touted the importance of the Natural Resources Committee in the release because of the direct impact back in his district, which houses the Mark Twain National Forest among other nature-related distinctions.

Additionally, the office is progressively updating their official website with information constituents can use to answer questions or to access Smith.