By signing on as a scheduler for Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) this month, Keeley Jelgerhuis is at least the fifth member of her family to work for Republicans in the House.
The family's Capitol Hill tradition began in 1992, when uncle Jon Vandenheuvel joined the staff of former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) as campaign manager. When Hoekstra won, Vandenheuvel became the representative's legislative assistant. He worked his way through the ranks to become chief of staff, and then worked as executive director for former Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) on the House Republican Conference. Vandenheuvel's time on the Hill lasted more than a decade.
During his final years working for Hoekstra, mother Jane Jelgerhuis also was on Hoekstra's staff, acting as the congressman's director of special projects. Her stint on the Hill lasted about two years.
Cousin Robert Vandenheuvel was the next family member to work in the House, joining the staff of former Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) on the House Ways and Means Committee. Initially working as an intern, Vandenheuvel worked his way up to press secretary before leaving after five years to become the general manager at the Milk Producers Council, a lobbying organization for California dairy farmers.
Sister Jessica Jelgerhuis Newman was next in line. Soon after graduating from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga., Jelgerhuis Newman became a scheduler for former Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.). She then joined the staff of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) before leaving for the Heritage Foundation to become the special assistant to Executive Vice President Bret Bernhardt.
Keeley, the newest House Jelgerhuis, graduated in 2014 from Covenant College with a bachelor of arts degree in community development and economics.
