Blumenthal Names Joel Kelsey as New Chief of Staff

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced that Joel Kelsey will serve as his next Chief of Staff. Kelsey has served as Blumenthal’s Legislative Director since 2015.

“Joel is a talented and dedicated public servant, and I am delighted that he will be heading our extraordinary team,” Blumenthal said. “In his new role, he will be fighting and delivering for Connecticut as our team continues its strong work on issues like veterans, consumer protection, and infrastructure.”

Kelsey has worked in Blumenthal’s office since 2013. Before serving as Blumenthal’s Legislative Director, he oversaw Blumenthal’s work on the Senate Commerce Committee as a Senior Policy Advisor. Prior to joining the Blumenthal office, Kelsey worked as the Legislative Director of Free Press and as a federal and international affairs Policy Analyst for Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reporters. At Consumers Union, Kelsey managed the organization’s advocacy efforts on cable, wireless, telephone, and Internet policy, working closely with federal and international policy makers on communications and media policy. Kelsey also worked as the New York City outreach director and later as the statewide campaigns coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Blumenthal’s previous Chief of Staff, Laurie Rubiner, recently departed to join the Alliance for Children’s Rights – a free legal services organization dedicated to protecting the rights of impoverished, abused, and neglected children – as its President and CEO.

Blumenthal is currently serving his second term in the Senate. He sits on the Senate Judiciary; Armed Services; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Veterans Affairs; and Aging Committees.