U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner announces his full staff for the 117th Congress
D.C. Office
Braden Dreiling, Chief of Staff
Prior to his current role as Chief of Staff for Congressman LaTurner, Braden served as the caucus liaison for the Senate Majority Leader in the Kansas Senate, and then worked as the Director of Public Relations for the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office. Most recently Braden served as the Campaign Manager for Jake LaTurner’s Congressional campaign. Braden received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University. Braden is a native to Hays, Kansas and is a graduate from Thomas More Prep-Marian.
Jeff Kahrs, Senior Advisor
Jeff Kahrs was recently hired as Senior Advisor for Congressman Jake LaTurner. Jeff brings over 25 years’ experience in public service. Most recently, he served in the Trump Administration as Regional Director of Region 7 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Kansas City, MO. In this role, Jeff oversaw HHS activities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Before joining the Trump Administration, Jeff served as the deputy secretary and chief of staff for the Kansas Department for Children and Families under the Brownback Administration. Prior to that, Jeff spent 16 years as a congressional staff member to Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), as legislative director and chief of staff. Jeff is a fourth-generation Kansan and proud graduate of Washburn Law School. Jeff currently resides in Topeka, KS with his wife Felita, and their two sons, Samuel, and William.
Jake Conard, Legislative Director
Prior to his current appointment as Legislative Director for Congressman LaTurner, Jake Conard served as a prosecutor in Cherokee County, Kansas for 6 years. After two years as a deputy prosecutor, Conard was elected County Attorney in 2016 and reelected in 2020. A native of Baxter Springs, and a devoted Kansan, Conard attended Pittsburg State University, where he received an Accounting degree, and Washburn Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor. Although currently based in Washington, D.C., Conard’s home will always be rural Cherokee County, where he lives with his wife, Kelli, and two sons, Samuel, and Silas.
Pat Adams, Communications Director
Pat Adams is a graduate of Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. Pat most recently served as the Associate Director of Strategic Communications for President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. Prior to that, Pat served as a Presidential Writer in the White House.
Marisa Burleson, Scheduler
Marisa is a native of Abilene, Texas where she earned a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 2019. Following graduation, she moved to Washington D.C. and began her professional career by becoming a scheduler for a congressional representative from Texas. She left the Hill for a short time, where she worked as the National Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the Republican National Committee. She is very grateful for the opportunity she now has to be Congressman LaTurner’s scheduler.
Chance Hunley, Legislative Assistant
Prior to joining Congressman LaTurner’s staff, Chance served as a legislative assistant for the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee under former Senator Pat Roberts, where he assisted in developing policies to help rural America. Chance is a native of Riverton, Kansas, and received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communication and journalism from Kansas State University. He is glad to continue working on behalf of Kansans, and especially those in his home congressional district.
Rachel Jag, Legislative Correspondent
Prior to joining Congressman LaTurner’s office, Rachel was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri in their Litigation Division. She lived in Kansas City with her fiancé, David, and their perfect dogs, Walter, and Stanley. Rachel received a dual-degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and her Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law. As a St. Louis native who has never lived outside of the Midwest, Rachel is excited and honored to serve in Congressman LaTurner’s Washington D.C. office.
Ethan Clark, Staff Assistant
Before joining Congressman LaTurner’s office, Ethan served in the same position in Congressman Adrian Smith’s (NE-03) Washington D.C. Office. Prior to that, he worked in the Nebraska State Legislature as a legislative and administrative aide to a state senator. Ethan is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Ethan grew up all over the Midwest, with his biggest ties being to Omaha, Nebraska and Overland Park, Kansas. He currently resides in D.C. with his fiancé, Elizabeth and their labradoodle, Millie.
District Office
Whitney Swender Tempel, District Representative
Whitney was born in Chanute, Kansas, and grew up in Texas where she graduated HS. She made her way back to Kansas in 2011. Whitney earned her Bachelor’s and Masters from Fort Hays State University. Her professional career began in higher education serving as Project Coordinator and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Center for Civic Leadership, FHSU. In 2017, she married then moved to Washington, D.C. to serve on the Hill in the Kansas Delegation representing the 2nd District of Kansas. Now, Whitney greatly appreciates the opportunity to work for Congressman Jake LaTurner in his Topeka district office.
Mark McAllister, District Representative
A current Senior at Washburn University studying a Bachelor’s in Business – Economics & Marketing, Mark has spent the past several years engaged in Kansas politics most recently directing field operations for Jake LaTurner’s Congressional campaign. He has been a member of Team LaTurner for the past 2 years. Despite being born in Nebraska, Mark is a lifelong Kansan raised on a 40-acre farm in small town Americus, Kansas.
Monet Straub, District Representative
Prior to being a part of Congressman LaTurner’s district staff, Monet served as the Deputy Director of Operations for the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office. She attended Kansas State University, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and went on to Washburn Law School, where she received a Juris Doctor.
Addison Tucker, District Representative
Addison grew up in Galena, Kansas and graduated from Galena High School. She went on to attend the University of Kansas to earn a bachelor’s degree. She will be attending the University of Arkansas School of Law next fall. She is excited and honored to work for Congressman Jake LaTurner and serve the great state of Kansas.
Allen Askew, Military Liaison
Allen Askew is a Retired Army Captain in the Military Police Corp with 11 years of service. He received his Commission from Kemper Military Junior College and continued his education at Kansas State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. Allen was called to Active Duty in support of both Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His last duty assignment was working with the Wounded Transition Unit, at Ft. Riley, Kansas. He left the Army in June 2009 at which time he worked as the Military Liaison for Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, and then Congressman Steve Watkins. Currently, Allen is the Military Liaison for Congressman Jake LaTurner.
Ridge Rose, Digital Media/Caseworker
Ridge graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park. He is currently studying Public Administration. Ridge previously served as an intern in the Kansas State Senate and the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office, then as Digital Director on Jake LaTurner’s Congressional campaign.