COCHRAN ANNOUNCES LEGISLATIVE STAFF CHANGES

Promotes Aide for Agriculture & Water Issues, Hires New Legislative Counsel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced two staff changes in his Washington office, including the promotion of P.J. Waldrop to legislative assistant for agriculture and water infrastructure development issues.

Cochran also announced his selection of Sara E. Peters to serve as legislative counsel.

“P.J. Waldrop has proven to be a hardworking and knowledgeable member of my staff, and I trust that his expertise in agriculture and water policy issues will serve Mississippians and the nation well,” Cochran said.  “I am also happy to welcome Sara Peters to my staff.  As  legislative counsel, her responsibilities will be important as my office deals with the difficult and complex legislative issues facing Congress today.”
 
Waldrop, a native of Byram, Miss., has worked for Cochran since January 2007 as a legislative aide for agriculture and water issues.  He was a staff assistant with the Senate Agriculture Committee in 2006.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Delta State University in 2006 and a master’s degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2009.  Waldrop assumed legislative assistant responsibilities from Hunter Moorhead, who joined Crossroads Strategies, LLC, in Washington.

Peters, a native of Tupelo, Miss., was an associate at King and Spalding in Washington, where she was part of the law firm’s tort and environmental litigation group.  In her duties as legislative counsel in Cochran’s office, Peters will handle budget, banking and securities, insurance, tax, judiciary, justice and trade issues.  Peters earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mississippi State University in 2003 and a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2006.  Peters replaces Hugh Gamble, who is now legislative director to U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.).

Cochran is vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and also serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.