Top 10 House Staffers to Watch in 2026
With the Midterms right around the corner and a razor thin GOP majority, 2026 is shaping up to be an intense year in the House. With so many hot button issues, there are plenty of opportunities for staffers to stand out.
Meet CNCT’s list of House Staffers to Watch in 2026…
With goals of maintaining the Republican majority in 2026, Speaker Mike Johnson’s Communications Director, Lance Trover, will play a key role in how Americans perceive what’s happening in Washington. While a new addition to the Johnson team, Lance is a well seasoned political strategist, with experience at the NRSC and several Republican campaigns. This year might be a bit of a pressure test for Lance, but this isn’t his first rodeo.
On the other hand, the Democratic party is seeing the Midterms as a great chance to flip the House in 2026. Nd Ubezonu, Floor Director for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, will play a vital role in determining what type of policy can be moved if Democrats succeed in reclaiming the House. With Hill experience spanning a decade and roles in multiple Democratic leadership offices, we’ll see how Nd steps up to the plate and paints a vision for House Democratic policy moving forward.
With the razor-thin GOP majority, it’s a busy time to whip votes. That’s where Emily Ackerman, Deputy Floor Director for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, comes in. Emily, a long-time Hill vet, and the Emmer team have a tall task ahead of them to keep their Members in line. Hear more about Emily’s expertise in CNCT’s Climbing the Hill Panel.
While senior staffers play important roles in every office, young staffers have tons of potential and influence. We wanted to feature a young staffer who will have plenty of opportunities to hone her skills this year. Kathryn Monahan is the Communications Assistant for Rep. Ro Khanna – an office that’s been receiving copious press attention. While it can be overwhelming to be a young comms staffer in a hot office like this one, there’s no better way to become a stellar communicator.
In one of the more bipartisan Democratic offices on the Hill, Haraden Bottomley has an opportunity to be a voice in the Problem Solvers Caucus under his boss, Rep. Josh Gottenheimer. As war powers debates continue, Gottheimer’s and Lawler’s teams are building a resistance force to the Khanna-Massie movement regarding Iran. How will Haraden navigate this messaging face-off in a new role?
Midterms and job upgrades are the name of the game this year. As Rep. Julia Letlow seeks a higher office, Communications Director Matt Smith is in the unique position to help craft her official message. With vast communications experience in Kentucky and DC, Matt has the skill to work with his boss on forging a strong message and path forward.
It’s safe to say Carlisle Sutton, Press Secretary for Rep. Thomas Massie, is busy right now! Between Massie’s attention around the Epstein files and a continued push for transparency, Carlisle has many opportunities to shine and hone her skills. Not to mention, the dynamic duo of Reps. Khanna and Massie now teaming up on war powers restraints against President Trump. The busy keeps on getting busier.
As Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia has been at the center of high-profile investigations into DHS conduct and the release of the Epstein files. As his Senior Advisor, Robert Edmonson will play a significant role in coordinating the Democratic minority’s strategy regarding these probes. With a career in politics spanning over two decades, there’s no doubt he’s prepared for the challenge.
As Republican Staff Director of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Keighle Joyce’s challenge is not just upcoming, it’s ongoing. With immigration being arguably the most hot-button issue in politics right now, eyes will be on how Keighle and Members of the committee work together to find reasonable and bipartisan reform in this area. With years of committee and Administration work under her belt, she’s the woman for the job!
As Democratic Staff Director of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Hope Goins is in a similar position to Keighle, her Republican counterpart. With a party in the minority that’s constantly on the offensive, attention will be placed on how Hope starts conversations across the aisle, finding pragmatic solutions. Hope’s unique experiences with committee work will make her a key voice behind legislative conversations.