Harmon Chief of Staff Resigning, Replacement Named
Senate President Don Harmon’s Chief of Staff, Jake Butcher, who is one of his top advisers, is resigning at the end of the month. He’ll be replaced by Harmon’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Ashley Jenkins-Jordan.
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Jake Butcher, the close advisor and Chief of Staff to Senate President Don Harmon, is resigning at the end of the month, Harmon’s office announced Thursday.
He’ll be replaced by Deputy Chief of Staff Ashley Jenkins-Jordan.
Jordan has served as Deputy to Butcher since returning to Senate staff when Harmon became Senate President in 2020. She served seven years as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for the Senate Dems. She took a lobbying job but returned a couple of months later when Harmon was elevated.
Ashley Jenkins-Jordan, who will become Senate President Don Harmon’s Chief of Staff on January 1.
"Ashley has distinguished herself in her service to the Senate and will offer continuity, passion and expertise,” Harmon said in a statement. “We shouldn’t miss a beat in the transition, and for that I’m incredibly grateful. I look forward to her service as a consequential and successful Chief of Staff.”
Harmon is known to lean on his top advisers. He’s very rarely seen moving through the Capitol without Butcher by his side.
Jenkins-Jordan is beloved by members of the Senate Democratic caucus, making her ascension an easy call for Harmon.
“She’s very talented and an excellent leader,” said Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “She’ll do an excellent job as Chief of Staff.”
Butcher, meanwhile, will go practice law. He is a former lobbyist, but we’re told he will not be registering to lobby during the spring session.
