CONCORD, N.H.—A man who once served as former Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith's chief of staff has been hired for the same position by New Hampshire Sen.-elect Kelly Ayotte.
John Easton, who served as Smith's chief of staff for seven years ending in 2009, comes to Ayotte's staff from a bipartisan public affairs firm in Washington.
Ayotte, a Republican and the former New Hampshire attorney general, defeated Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes in November. She will replace Republican Sen. Judd Gregg, who did not seek re-election.
© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
