The woman set to become incoming Rep. Don Beyer's (D-Va.) chief of staff may be new to the job, but her history with D.C. media runs deep.
Ann O'Hanlon, of Alexandria, was a reporter and national political researcher for The Washington Post in the 1990s and early 2000s.
O'Hanlon, who was Beyer's campaign manager, is also married to Politico editor-in-chief John Harris. She led NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and worked for the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. She graduated from Wesleyan University and served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador.
Harris told the Post in March he was taking no role in coverage decisions about the campaign and said O'Hanlon has a career "fully independent of my own."
O'Hanlon wrote about Beyer at least once, in 1997 when Beyer ran for governor and later lost, after he visited Manassas, Va. students before they staged a mock debate. One 11-year-old asked if he had any other "political aspirations."
O'Hanlon wrote that Beyer replied no, that governor of Virginia is the highest office in the land. He left with a stuffed donkey gift from the students.
Beyer defeated Republican Micah Edmond Tuesday to replace retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.).
