Here’s the latest on the now-Republican congressman from Alabama’s 5th district.
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     WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dr. Parker Griffith officially announced eight new staff members to join his Washington, DC, office.
     “I am glad to announce eight great new staff additions in my Washington, DC, office. Each staff member is bringing a wealth of knowledge about the 5th District and about the state of Alabama to my office. Combined, they bring decades of congressional experience to the table. These new staff members, most of who are from our district, have hit the ground running and are ready to serve,” said Dr. Griffith.
     The new staff includes the following:
• Madeline Barter, of Mobile – Legislative Assistant;
• Kristi Broadfoot, of Florence – Legislative Correspondent;
• Michael Galloway, of Mobile – Chief of Staff;
• Marcus Huskey, of Huntsville – Legislative Director;
• Robert La Branche, of Montgomery – Legislative Assistant;
• Brecke Latham, (Air Force family once stationed in Alabama) – Communications Director;
• Andrea Massey, of Madison – Staff Assistant;
• Amanda Taylor, of Huntsville – Legislative Correspondent.

     “We have been so grateful to the Alabama Republican delegation for lending their support and for providing numerous recommendations for additions. The new staff members will join Dr. Griffith’s local staff to help best serve Alabama’s 5th district. I’m glad to be a part of such a knowledgeable and highly regarded team,” said Galloway.

     Michael Galloway, of Mobile, returned to Capitol Hill as Dr. Griffith’s new Chief of Staff (CoS). Michael previously served on the Legislative staff of Congressmen H.L. “Sonny” Callahan (R-AL retired) and Jo Bonner (R-AL). After leaving the Hill in 2005, he was Vice President of Cassidy and Associates and Vice President of Governmental Relations for the Florida Hospital Association. He was most recently employed by the MITA Group, a strategic planning technology focused firm in Washington, DC. Congressman Griffith’s move to the Republican Party initiated a change in office staff and Michael; as CoS; moved quickly to fill the resulting vacancies in the Washington office and District offices. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and holds an MBA from the University of Florida.

     Marcus Huskey, of Huntsville, graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, AL, with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Combined, he has served on Capitol Hill for four years. He has worked in the Political Affairs Office in the White House during the Bush administration. Most recently, he served on the Legislative staff for Congressman Bob Inglis (R-SC).

     Robert La Branche, of Montgomery, graduated from Huntingdon College. Following graduation, he worked for Governor Bob Riley’s re-election campaign. In the fall of 2006, Robert began working for Senator Jeff Sessions as a Legislative Correspondent covering defense, veteran’s affairs and foreign policy issues. He has completed Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies through the Naval War College.

     Madeline Barter, of Mobile, graduated from the University of Alabama. She worked for Senator Jeff Sessions as a Legislative Correspondent covering energy, environment, transportation and agriculture issues.

     Amanda Taylor, of Huntsville, graduated from Southern Methodist University. She has worked for Balch & Bingham, LLP. and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

     Kristi Broadfoot, of Florence, graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in health administration. Following graduation, she worked for Montgomery County Medical Society.

     Andrea Massey, of Huntsville, graduated from Alabama A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Over the past several years, she has worked as a teacher for Madison City Schools. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from Alabama A&M University.

     Brecke Latham has served on Capitol Hill both as Press Secretary to Congressman Gresham Barrett (R-SC) and as Communications Director to Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS). As an Air Force child, she lived in Montgomery, AL, when her family was stationed at Maxwell, AFB. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Stephen F. Austin University and holds a Master’s in Political Journalism from Louisiana State University.

An update on the Ron Sparks for governor campaign staff.
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     MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Democratic candidate for governor Ron Sparks has hired a new campaign manager, who previously served as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Parker Griffth of Huntsville.
     Sharon Wheeler resigned from Griffith’s staff following his switch to the Republican Party last month. Now she’s replacing Justin Saia as Sparks’ campaign manager.
     Wheeler is an attorney who previously worked for Alabama Power Co., the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and the Alabama Senate’s president pro tem.
     Sparks also announced Wednesday that Rick Dent is joining his campaign as a consultant. Dent previously worked for Alabama Gov. Don Siegleman, Georgia Gov. Zell Miller and Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus.

Griffith will spend part of his day working with House Minority Leader John Boehner’s office about his new role in the House.

A steering committee will work the next week or two on new committee assignments for the Congressman who ditched the Democratic Party over the Christmas break.

A spokeswoman in Griffith’s office says he should know his new committee assignments by February.

Until then, Griffith will continue discussions on Health Care reform. Those discussions include signing on to a Sunshine Resolution which calls for C-SPAN to cover the conference committee meetings the Health Care Reform Bill.

Griffith switched to the Republican Party in December. “The Republican Party is a party I feel most comfortable with, that I can caucus with and help the 5th Congressional District,” Griffith said at the time he jumped parties.