Boehner Names Barry Jackson as New Chief of Staff for Office of the Republican Leader

Contact: Michael Steel, Kevin Smith, 202-225-4000

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 /Standard Newswire/ -- House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today announced that Barry Jackson, who served as chief of staff in Boehner's office and as director of the Contract with America and later served in the White House as Assistant to President George W. Bush for Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs, has been named Chief of Staff for the Office of the Republican Leader.

"No one in America is better prepared or better qualified than Barry to pick up the torch in the wake of our tragic and unexpected loss," Boehner said.  "I'm deeply grateful for Barry's willingness to return to active duty on our team in what promises to be an important year not just for Republicans, but for America."

"By bringing the director of the Contract with America back to the Hill during this important time for the nation, we're sending a message that Republicans are serious about listening to the people, building a principled and lasting majority, and renewing the drive for smaller, more accountable government."

Jackson was a close friend of Paula Nowakowski, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on January 10.  As Boehner chief of staff and executive director of the House Republican Conference during the 1990s, Jackson brought Nowakowski to the Boehner team in 1995.  He has remained close to the Republican Leader and to many senior Boehner aides since turning over the reins of "Boehnerland" to Nowakowski in 2001 to work in the White House.

Jackson, a graduate of Lakota High School and the University of Iowa, hails from West Chester, Ohio, in the heart of Ohio's 8th Congressional District, which Boehner has represented in Congress since 1991.