Mike Johnson’s chief of staff Hayden Haynes resigns; Garrett Fultz promoted: ‘The honor of a lifetime’
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing personnel changes, with reports confirming that his chief of staff will resign from the position.
Hayden Haynes, a longtime assistant to Mike Johnson, will step down from his role to pursue new opportunities.
Ten-year partnership ends
The Minden native has served as Mike Johnson’s chief of staff since he first entered Congress.
His professional relationship with Johnson dates back to 2016, when he served as campaign manager and continued in that role even after becoming chief of staff, according to his LinkedIn profile. In 2016, at age 27, he led Johnson’s first campaign for Congress.
Johnson pays tribute to Haines on House floor
Mike Johnson paid tribute to Hayden Haynes on the House floor on June 4 for having been by his side from the beginning, The Daily Advertiser reported.
“Even before he became speaker, before he had Cannon’s office bisected in the middle by the women’s room, before he campaigned for his office in the apartment above the radio station (in Shreveport), Hayden built this ship from the ground up,” Johnson said.
Johnson also described Hayden Haynes as “the most integral member of the staff,” adding, “I will always be grateful for that and he will be missed.”
Haynes’ replacement and next career steps
He has now resigned from his position to join the Washington-based global law firm K&L Gates as a government affairs counsel.
Haines will be replaced as a top aide by current deputy chief of staff Garrett Fultz.
The outgoing chief of staff, a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, told USA TODAY Network that his new position will allow him to spend more time at home with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Brody.
touching farewell message
“It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District and later the Speaker’s Office under Mike Johnson,” Haynes said after his departure.
He also expressed his gratitude to the people of Louisiana and to Mike Johnson and his family for their support throughout his journey.
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“Words cannot express how grateful I am to the people of Louisiana, and especially to Speaker Johnson and his family. Mike, Kelly, Hannah, Abby, Jack and Will have become my family and I will always be grateful for his friendship and wise counsel,” he said.
He concluded by praising Mike Johnson while also noting that Louisiana is lucky to have him as Speaker of the House.
