In preparation for expected his trip to Congress in January, state Sen. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, has chosen his staff, including three MSU alumni.
The race between Rogers and state Sen. Dianne Byrum, D-Onondaga, is being recounted after a tight vote. According to totals certified by the Michigan Board of Canvassers, Rogers won the election by 160 votes.
Ballots for the entire 8th Congressional District are being examined to see if the outcome is correct. Results could come within a week or two.
But Rogers isn’t letting the recount uncertainty interfere with his move to Washington next month.
“Some of us have worked with Mike for a long time,” said Sylvia Warner, Rogers’ press secretary. “It was part of us wanting a team that was on the ground and ready to go.”
Warner will remain as Rogers’ press spokeswoman.
The three MSU alumni making the move are Heather Keiser and Andy Keiser and Stacey Young. The three are planning on living together in Washington D.C., while working as part of Rogers’ staff.
“We’re a big family,” said Heather Keiser, who has worked with Rogers since 1996. “After graduating, I did an internship with a business interest group, and I attended some hearings Rogers was at. I was impressed with his integrity.”
Heather Keiser was chosen to serve as senior legislative assistant, while her brother Andy will work as Rogers’ computer systems and mail administrator.
Young will serve as his office manager and scheduler.
Other key positions filled for Rogers include Chris Cox as chief of staff and Anne Belser, who managed both of Rogers’ state Senate campaigns, as the district director of Rogers’ Michigan offices.
Cox has served in the same position for three other members of Congress.
The entire staff is excited for the move, despite outside discussion of a less than desirable Washington office the group received through a congressional lottery for office space.
Plans are in the works for Rogers’ Ingham County office - his team is looking for a site to set up.
“We could be working in a shoebox and we’d still have a great time,” Young said. “Working with Mike Rogers has been so inspirational. I’m pretty young myself, and I have a hard time keeping up with him.”
