Pelosi announces new chief of staff

(National Journal) House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Thursday announced that Nadeam Elshami — her communications director — will take over as her chief of staff, succeeding John Lawrence, who will leave on Feb. 1 after eight years in that position.

Elshami is a 21-year veteran of the House and Senate whose first job on Capitol Hill was in the Senate mail room. “For the past six years, Nadeam has been a key communications strategist, spokesperson, and senior adviser,” Pelosi said. “I know my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus will benefit from his leadership as he transitions to chief of staff.”