Newhouse Names Western Caucus Executive Director for 117th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman-elect Dan Newhouse (R-WA) named Sean V. O'Brien as the organization's new Executive Director for the 117th Congress.
"I have worked with Sean throughout my three terms in Congress, and I know him to be committed to solving the issues facing the rural West," said Chairman-elect Newhouse. "Sean has been instrumental in my efforts to strengthen and secure water supply infrastructure, ensure public lands are accessible for America's hunters, recreationists, and local communities, and reform the outdated federal policies harming our nation's land, water, and species management. His relationships on Capitol Hill and with the many partners of the Western Caucus will be invaluable to achieving our goals in the 117th Congress."
Newhouse continued, "I am grateful for the service of our outgoing Executive Director, Tim Charters, who helped Chairman Gosar grow the Western Caucus into the prestigious advocacy organization it is today. I look forward to working with Sean to continue to grow our membership, expand our influence, and defend and protect the values of rural America. He will do an excellent job serving the Caucus."
"I am humbled to serve as Executive Director for an organization that does so much to raise the voices of rural communities in our nation's capital," said O'Brien. "Chairman-elect Newhouse has developed a strong vision to execute a results-oriented strategy that will elevate the Caucus to new heights. Under his leadership, we are ready to hit the ground running on behalf of the bipartisan Members of the Caucus and the communities they represent across our great nation."
Sean V. O'Brien currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director to Rep. Newhouse, handling energy, forestry, and natural resources portfolios, including Rep. Newhouse's work on the House Appropriations Energy & Water Subcommittee. He specializes in issues including hydropower, nuclear energy, grid storage, water supply and critical infrastructure, and Endangered Species Act reform.
O'Brien previously served as Campaign Manager for Rep. Newhouse's re-election race in 2016. He studied Political Science at Gonzaga University and is a graduate of the Gorton Leaders Program at the Slade Gorton Policy Center as well as the Association of Washington Business Institute's Leadership Washington Program.
Tim Charters will continue to serve the Western Caucus through the 116th Congress, concluding January 2, 2021.
Background:
On November 19, the Executive Committee of the Congressional Western Caucus unanimously elected Rep. Dan Newhouse to serve as Chairman for the 117th Congress.
The Congressional Western Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of nearly 70 Members of Congress from 35 different states and territories who advocate for rural, western, and resource-based communities. The Western Caucus serves as a unified voice for Members of Congress who represent these communities and fight for the priorities of the American people in the process. Hands-on Member education and experiences have been a hallmark of the Caucus for the last two decades. Click here to learn more about the Western Caucus.
Initially, the Caucus was born in the West out of concerns of undue federal interference with rural, agricultural, timber, water, energy, and hunting values that had been a part of American society for centuries. The Caucus was founded to fight this federal overreach, promote rural values, and preserve our uniquely American way of life. Over time, the Caucus has grown beyond the geographic West, allying with Members of Congress throughout the country that share our values, issues, and vision of a stronger America.
Currently employing four professional staff, the Caucus brings policy, press, educational opportunities, and advocacy for its entire bipartisan membership through the official Eligible Congressional Member Organization (ECMO) status.