Rep.-elect Kilmer assembles staff for new job in Congress

U.S. Representative-elect Derek Kilmer announced his first three staff hires Wednesday.

Kilmer, a state senator and Democrat who was elected to the District 6 seat in the U.S. House in November, will be sworn into office on Jan. 3. His new staff will also start work that day.

Jonathan Smith will serve as Kilmer's chief of staff, Meadow Johnson will be his district director, and Joe Dacca will work as his deputy district director.

"I am excited to announce the hiring of the first three members of my staff," Kilmer said.

"All three individuals have excellent qualifications and experience, and will help me provide the best possible service to my constituents and to employers in our region," he added. "Our team is going to focus on working for every family and every business in this district so we can get our economy back on track."

Smith has nearly a decade of experience working in Congress, both in individual Congress members’ offices and on the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He also worked as an attorney for the Seattle law firm of Preston, Gates and Ellis (now K&L Gates).

Johnson is a lifelong resident of the district, and attended Peninsula High School, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington, Tacoma. She has spent several years working for Representative-elect Kilmer.

Prior to her work in politics, Johnson worked in the real estate industry.

Dacca is a graduate of Gig Harbor High School and the University of Washington, and has spent the past five years working in the district office of Congressman Norm Dicks.  Prior to joining the Dicks' staff, Dacca served as legislative assistant for Kilmer during his first term in the Washington State Senate.

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