WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise’s top advisor as House majority leader is leaving after more than a decade working for him to take a job with an industry trade group, .
Chief of Staff Brett Horton, of West Monroe, is joining the , where he will oversee direct lobbying efforts, PAC strategy, grassroots engagement, coalition building, and issue advocacy campaigns.
“There are few people that know Capitol Hill better than Brett Horton,” Scalise, R-Jefferson, said in a statement. “Most importantly, he has been by my side through challenges that extend far beyond legislating — in the aftermath of the Congressional Baseball Game shooting, Brett’s friendship and steady leadership carried my staff, my family, and the entire (Republican) conference through an unprecedented attack on the institution. I am so incredibly grateful to Brett for his years of dedication and service to our country.”
Horton joined Scalise in 2010 serving as counsel, policy director, floor director and then as chief of staff for the leader’s office.
Since Scalise was elected to a House Republican leadership position in 2014, first as GOP whip and then as majority leader, Horton was in charge communicating with House and Senate leaders as well as the White House.
In a place where top aides often change jobs, Horton has remained in his stressful post running the majority leader's office in the U.S. Capitol about twice as long as other leadership chiefs of staff.
Scalise also has a second office that works with h officials and the First Congressional District. The chief of staff for the constituency office is Megan Bel Miller, of Amite.
He announced Friday that Eric Zulkosky would take Horton's place as chief of staff in his leadership office. Zulkosky has worked for Scalise for nearly seven years, previously serving as legislative director, member services director, and most recently as floor director.
Scalise plans to run for reelection next year.
