Thursday, April 12, 2012
8:23 PM
Report: Johnson close to overhauling Senate staff
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's Senate staff appears likely to be almost entirely replaced as the freshman Republican from Oshkosh turns to a messaging role ahead of the presidential campaign, according to a report from D.C. newspaper Roll Call.
Johnson's office denied that a purge was forthcoming, and the senator had noted that his office has seen relatively little turnover, with only his legislative director departing over the last 15 months.
GOP sources, however, told the paper that Johnson's frustration with his current staff has escalated of late. The sources also said that the senator has not reached out to his colleagues over his first months in D.C., and that his policy goals have suffered as a result.
“It’s kind of like watching a temper tantrum by a 2-year-old in the middle of the grocery store," one GOP aide told Roll Call.
UPDATE: Johnson spokesman Brian Faughnan tells the Washington Post that the "story is categorically untrue," and that no widespread staff turnover is imminent.
Faughnan said the report was based on allegations from "unnamed sources reporting second and third-hand rumors.” He added that Johnson is "proud of the relationships he has built with his Senate colleagues," pointing to his bid for a leadership post in the Senate GOP conference late last year.
Johnson lost the race for caucus vice chair to Roy Blunt of Missouri.
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