For Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when looking for new staff hires.
The congressman's new chief of staff, Mike Hook, is the uncle of the congressman's legislative assistant, Erynn Hook. The 56-year old has come on board to replace Christopher Grant, who took a job with Axiom Strategies while being investigated as part of a state corruption case.
The Arizona State University alumnus began his political career with the Erie County, N.Y. government. After working at the county and state levels for five years, Hook joined former Rep. Bill Paxon's (R-N.Y.) staff as a district manager. After climbing the office ladder to the chief of staff role, Hook moved to the Republican Party, helping the GOP with campaigning in the late 1990s. Since then, he has registered as a lobbyist with Greener and Hook LLC and was the managing partner for Roland-Kelly Inc.
Like her uncle, Erynn Hook has also been in politics for her entire career. She joined Collins' staff as a staff assistant back in 2013 before eventually becoming a legislative assistant. The Williamsville, N.Y. native handles military, education, housing and ten other issues.
Mike's wife, Vicki, also made a name for herself on Capitol Hill. She was the chief of staff for former Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) and the deputy chief of staff for Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.).