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* Press release…
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) announced today that long-time state legislator and current Senate Republican Chief of Staff Dale Righter will be departing his role in the Senate Republican Caucus to focus on building a practice in his hometown of Mattoon, IL.
McConchie also announced the elevation of current Deputy Chief of Staff Jenna Mitchell to the Chief of Staff post, effective when Righter departs on Nov. 12. Mitchell will become the first-ever female Chief of Staff for the Illinois Senate Republicans.
“I am grateful for Dale’s work leading and managing a substantial modernization of our Caucus’ operational structure, and helping to craft our legislative agenda,” McConchie said. “He is a trusted friend and colleague and I wish him much success as he pursues his expanded private sector opportunities. I am confident in Jenna’s ability to build upon the foundation Dale has laid and look forward to working with her in her new role.
“To work with, and on behalf of, the Senate Republican Caucus has been a treasure and blessed opportunity,” Righter said. “While I will be leaving my everyday work at the State Capitol, I will always cherish the memories of my time here and in the years to come, look forward to continuing the many lifelong friendships I have built. The future of this organization is made brighter by the prism of energy and ideas that Jenna will bring to the Caucus in her new role.”
“I had the honor of working for Dale during his time as a Senator and then with him in my role as Deputy Chief of Staff,” Mitchell said. “His mentorship and friendship have had a profound and positive impact. My years as a member of the Senate Republican Staff have ingrained in me a strong sense of duty to Leader McConchie, the members of the Senate Republican Caucus, and our incredible staff. I look forward to our next chapter and expanding on that which we have achieved thus far.”
After earning her B.A. in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University, Mitchell began her career in Illinois government in 2013 where she spent five years on the Senate Republican Appropriations Staff with a focus on education funding and capital infrastructure projects. In 2018, she took on the role of Director of State Relations at Northern Illinois University, then returned to the Senate Republicans as Deputy Chief of Staff in 2021.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 7:16 pm
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Dale quit so he could go home and watch tonight’s Packer game. Go Pack.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 7:28 pm
Jenna is smart and hard working. She will be great.
Comment by Because I Said So.... Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 7:38 pm
Another solid McConchie staffing move. The brain drain is real.
Comment by confused Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 7:49 pm
Jenna is top notch. She has the energy and knowledge to hit the ground running. The best choice for this very important job. I’m so proud of you Jenna. The best person and woman for the job.
Comment by suzi schmidt Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 7:54 pm
Jenna and I don’t come from the same part of the political spectrum, but I have huge respect for her, her abilities, and her sincere belief in governing well. In her prior roles, I found that she asked incisive, insightful questions from the start, and I saw the high degree of respect that she had from the members she worked with closely. She has integrity and a great sense of humor, and she’ll continue to serve the caucus well.
Comment by Jenna Fan Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:17 pm
Good luck to former Senator Righter. That’s a loss for the institution. I hope he finds a way to work some bills next year in our first normal in-person session since a long time ago.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 9:51 pm
Congrats Jenna!! Well deserved!
Comment by Todd & Margo Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 11:24 pm
Mitchell seems great, but “Mitchell will become the first-ever female Chief of Staff for the Illinois Senate Republicans” is not a thing you should be bragging about in 2021. It reads more as telling on yourself than as an accomplishment.
Super glad they finally got there (banned punctuation). But, um, maybe don’t highlight that it took so long.
(And no, I don’t know how long it took House and Senate Democrats, or House Republicans, but duuuuuuude don’t highlight it if you just got there in 2021.)
Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Oct 28, 21 @ 11:30 pm
Dale is a class act. Great guy. One of the best debaters in the Assembly in last two decades.
Jenna is also wonderful and will be great.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 2:18 am
Jenna is a fantastic choice. She knows her stuff!
Comment by Peanut Gallery Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 2:13 pm