U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) announced on Tuesday that he has named Terry Carmack as the next chief of staff of his personal office in Washington, D.C., effective next month.
Carmack, who grew up in Marshall County, has served as Senator McConnell’s state director since June 2010.
Written by Tom Latek of Kentucky Today
He previously worked as the political director at the National Republican Congressional Committee and served as chief of staff for two Kentucky members of Congress, Anne Northup and Ed Whitfield. Carmack also has experience in positions at the White House and the Small Business Administration. His first job on Capitol Hill was working in Senator McConnell’s mailroom beginning in 1985. Carmack attended Murray State University and is a graduate of George Mason University.
“Terry Carmack has been a friend and trusted advisor for more than 30 years. I’m grateful he will continue to serve Kentucky as my new chief of staff,” McConnell stated. “He’s the perfect mixture of talent and hard work. For the last decade as my state director, Terry has traveled to every corner of Kentucky to listen to families’ stories and concerns. Now, he’s the best choice to help me advance our commonwealth’s priorities in the Senate. Terry is ready to lead my DC and state staffs, in coordination with my leadership office, to deliver for Kentucky and Middle America.”
Carmack is replacing Phil Maxson, who is leaving after nearly 10 years with the office to return to Kentucky to raise his family.
“Phil has led by example and with good humor as my chief of staff, creating one of the best teams on Capitol Hill,” McConnell said. “His wise counsel and masterful knowledge of legislative procedure, the committee process and Kentucky projects have produced a lengthy record of accomplishments of which he should be proud. Phil has my sincere thanks for his decade of service in my office. I wish him, Sarah Beth and their family the very best for their future.”
Maxson, of Lexington, has been McConnell’s chief of staff since 2017. He previously served as legislative director and oversaw the appropriations portfolio for the office as the director of projects. He was also responsible for defense and military legislative affairs.
Sharon Soderstrom is the chief of staff in McConnell’s Senate leadership office.
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Written by Tom Latek. Cross-posted from Kentucky Today.