by Jill Zuckman
Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.), who arrived in Washington without any staff to back him up, has just snagged his first high-profile hire.
Darrel Thompson, senior adviser to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, will become Burris's chief of staff. Thompson will continue to serve as senior adviser to Reid, and his position with Burris is considered temporary.
Thompson, who worked as chief of staff on President Barack Obama's 2004 Senate campaign, will be responsible for helping Burris put together his legislative agenda and create a constituent services plan for the people of Illinois.
Thompson previously served in senior positions for former Rep. Dick Gephardt when he was the House Democratic Leader, and worked as financial services director responsible for all political fundraising for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
"With Sen. Burris, the people of Illinois will have a strong voice; one that is able to represent such a vast and diverse state," said Reid (D-Nev.), who at first tried to bar Burris' seating because he had been appointed to by then-Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"As the Leader of the U.S. Senate, I will do all that I can to support the success of Sen. Burris and that begins with detailing one of my most respected senior staff members,'' he said. "Darrel's institutional knowledge combined with his strong relationship with members and staffs in both the Senate and House, will undoubtedly serve Sen. Burris well."
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