Top 10 Senate Staffers to Watch in 2026
2026 is shaping up to be a defining year—midterms, geopolitical tension, an AI bubble, and more. These are the Senate staffers we expect to shape messaging and policy on the issues that matter most.
Meet CNCT’s list of Senate Staffers to Watch in 2026…
With the House growing increasingly chaotic—especially under a slim majority—John Thune’s communications team has a clear opening to define the party’s message heading into a pivotal midterm year. That’s where Mary Katherine Ascik, Speechwriter and Communications Advisor, comes in. With deep experience across Republican communications, she will play a key role in shaping the party’s message as it looks to maintain its majority heading into 2027.
It may be a new year, but hot-button issues like AI regulation and antitrust enforcement aren’t going anywhere. The same goes for Yeongsik Kim, Labor Policy Director to Bernie Sanders on the Senate HELP Committee. Working for one of the most outspoken voices on these issues, Kim will be at the center of debates over AI’s impact on the workforce and data center development. With a background in law and experience at the National Labor Relations Board, he’ll be a key player to watch this year.
It wouldn’t be a midterm year without a fresh round of presidential speculation. On the Republican side, Josh Hawley is back in the rumor mill. If that chatter turns into something more, his Communications Director, Benen O’Brien, will be influential in building a strategy to meet the moment. With a background in broadcast media, he’s well-positioned for the role.
As tensions rise between the parties, more moderate voices like John Fetterman are positioned to play an outsized role. His Senior Policy Advisor, Nick Borgaonkar, will be in the unique position of helping navigate where the office lands across a range of key issues. With a military background and deep legislative experience, he’s sure to play a role in Fetterman’s attempt to appeal to all Pennsylvanians.
Eric Schmitt has emerged as a rising presence in D.C., building a reputation for authenticity and relatability within Republican circles. His communications team, led by Rachel Dumke, now has an opportunity to position him as a leading voice for the party. The challenge will be striking the right balance between showcasing his personality and maintaining a clear, strategic message.
Senate Minority Leader Schumer and his policy team, led by Policy Director Raymond O’Mara III, have been at the center of a demanding stretch—navigating budget negotiations, deliberating with the Trump team over the latest shutdown, and leading messaging for Senate Democrats. At the same time, they’re working to shape a clear policy agenda should Democrats retake the Senate. With no slowdown in sight, O’Mara and his team will remain key players to watch.
A lot can change in just a few weeks. At the start of the year, Katherine Currie and the comms team in Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s office likely had a very different vision for 2026. Following Kristi Noem’s removal and a subsequent appointment from President Trump, the team is now pivoting quickly—adapting strategy and preparing to transition their boss into the Trump Administration.
Working under Sen. Ron Wyden on the Senate Finance Committee, Deputy Staff Director and General Counsel Tiffany Smith is working to reveal underreported Epstein-linked bank transactions. The investigation could reveal deeper insight into the networks behind the operation and how it was sustained. With decades of experience on the Committee, Smith brings both institutional knowledge and policy firepower to the effort.
As Democrats look to unseat five-term incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, the race is shaping up to be one of her toughest yet. Her Press Secretary, Blake Kernen, will be central to crafting and executing the campaign’s messaging strategy heading into November. While early in her career, Kernen’s diverse political background has prepared her for the challenge.
With Mark Kelly signaling early interest in a 2028 presidential run, attention is turning to his communications team. Led by Communications Director and Senior Advisor Jacob Peters, the team will be tested as they begin shaping Kelly’s national profile. With campaign experience already under his belt, Peters is well-positioned for the challenge to come.