People hoping to become a congressional staffer might work on campaigns or go to law school, but there appears to be an easier way - work on "The Laura Ingraham Show."
No fewer than 10 current and former congressional staffers worked on the conservative firebrand's talk radio show before joining the Hill. With only a handful of people running the show at any given time, there appears to be a strong employment link between the show and Congress.
Six current congressional staffers have ties to the show. Alex Curd, an assistant to the chief of staff for Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) worked as an assistant and producer on the show for the first half of 2013. Alyssa Farah, who became Rep. Mark Meadow's (R-N.C.) communications director in April, worked as a producer for nearly a year between 2010 and 2011. Matt Wolking currently serves as press secretary for the House Select Committee on Benghazi and worked on Ingraham's show from 2009 to 2012, climbing his way up from an internship to executive producer.
Three of the six current staffers held internships with the show. Jessica Cahill, press secretary and legislative correspondent for Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.); Kevin Knight, legislative correspondent for Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); and Mike Soukup, digital media director for Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.).
At least four former congressional staffers have also worked on the Washington, D.C.-based radio show. Julia Hahn was a producer and later executive producer from 2013 to 2014 before becoming press secretary for Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.). She left the office this past July. Jadan Horyn likewise worked as a producer in 2012 before joining Congress with Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.). His most recent role was communications director for Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), which ended in April.
Lindsay Galatro, who served as new media coordinator for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee in 2012, and Ariel Judah, who served as a staff assistant to former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) in 2012 both also held internships with the show.
Ingraham started her radio show in 2001. In 2012, her contract with Talk Radio Network was cancelled, but the show was revived in 2013 under Ingraham's ownership.
