Ruiz Announces Key Congressional Staff Positions

Congressman-elect Raul Ruiz announced his senior staff appointments, as well as plans for a local office set to open Monday.

Ruiz will open a district office at 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs and wants to open offices in Indio and in the western part of the 36thCongressional District, said Kyle Layman, his chief of staff.

Ruiz, a Democrat and emergency room doctor who will be sworn in Thursday, beat incumbent and Republican Mary Bono Mack in November to represent the redrawn district.

Aside from Layman, his chief of staff, Ruiz appointed Greg Lucas Rodriguez as district director, Rebekah Rodriguez-Lynn as deputy district director, Orfa Torres-Jaen as legislative director and Whitney Michell as communications director.

“I’m excited about the experienced and highly-motivated senior team we have put together to lead my offices in the district and in Washington,” Ruiz stated. “My senior staff shares my commitment to public service and has the knowledge and expertise to get to work on day one for the people of the 36th District. Under their leadership, my congressional offices will be engaged, accessible and aggressively focused on serving the needs of my constituents.”

Meanwhile, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack issued a statement on her Facebook account. “Last night, I took my last vote as a member of the House of Representatives and today is officially my last day to serve. I will truly miss seeing so many people and being a part of their lives. But I am also nervously excited about this next chapter in mine.”

Bono Mack served 14 years in office as representative for the Coachella Valley before losing her seat to Ruiz.