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Sen. Murkowski’s Energy Committee staff chief to depart
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will have a new staff director as she dives into her next two years as the top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
McKie Campbell is leaving the job in two weeks after more than four years in the role, according to Robert Dillon, Murkowski’s committee spokesman.
Campbell has previously been a principal at the Campbell Group, a consulting firm specializing in natural resources, and also served as commissioner of the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish & Game.
“McKie leaves big shoes to fill,” Murkowski said in a statement. “But we’ve built a great team at the committee and I have the utmost confidence in Karen to lead the committee in the new Congress.
“She has unparalleled knowledge of committee history and issues, has worked extensively on thousands of lands bills and negotiated numerous energy issues. She is respected throughout Congress and has a firm grasp of Alaska’s concerns and priorities,” Murkowski added.
Billups has been with the Energy panel since 2003 and became chief counsel in 2008. She also was counsel to the committee from 1995 to 2000.
Pat McCormick, currently special counsel to the committee, will be promoted to chief counsel and take the lead on electricity matters, Murkowski’s office said.
Campbell, in a statement, thanked Murkowski for the opportunity to work on the committee.
“I’ve been blessed in my life to have a number of good jobs, but this has been the best. The decision to leave a great boss and a great staff was extraordinarily difficult, and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t know that with Karen and Pat they will be in great hands,” he said.
This post was updated at 7:49 a.m.
