Rep. Wilson keeps senior staffers from Meek’s office

Freshman Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) has already made a splash on Capitol Hill with eye-catching cowboy hats and a friendly willingness to talk to the media.

But if certain elements of Wilson’s operation seem familiar, there’s a good reason for it. The Florida Democrat has hired five members from the staff of her predecessor, former Rep. Kendrick Meek’s (D-Fla.) — most notably her chief of staff, Tasha Cole, and her communications director, Mahen Gunaratna.

Meek gave up his House seat to launch what ended up as an unsuccessful Senate bid last year. Both Gunaratna and Cole joined him on the campaign trail.

But they’re back on Capitol Hill this week and look forward to hitting the ground running with their new boss.

“We’re fortunate to have a sense a continuity and both old and new hands to continue serving the district,” Gunaratna said. “The congresswoman is not wasting any time and is attending a series of events in the community today to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake.”

Three more Meek veterans will join Wilson’s team in her district office: Joyce Postell as district director and staffers Shirlee LaFleur and Alexander Lewy.

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