Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
The Senate will soon have a new Republican majority leader and committee chairs.
- Here's a look at some of the staff that could influence how the party approaches tech policy.
Chance Costello, senior legislative assistant, and Alex Sachtjen, legislative assistant, GOP Whip John Thune
Thune, a frontrunner for majority leader, is a member of the Commerce Committee and a tech and telecom wonk.
- Costello and Sachtjen have both served in the Senate for more than eight years and have tech policy focus areas.
- Sachtjen previously worked for Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian conservative political advocacy group, and Costello worked on Sen. Mike Rounds' campaign.
Geoff Antell, chief of staff, GOP Whip John Thune
Antell is the current top staffer in Thune's leadership office, and he's got a deep history on the Hill.
- He was trade counsel for House Ways and Means before moving to the office of then-Speaker Paul Ryan and later joining Thune's team.
- If Thune wins the leadership battle, Antell could influence the direction of the GOP conference.
Halie Craig, policy director, Sen. Ted Cruz
Cruz is poised to become chair of the Commerce Committee, where he'll be in charge of agency oversight, legislation pertaining to the internet and Big Tech investigations.
- Craig has held various roles in the Senate since 2012, including working for retired Sen. Pat Toomey.
- She stepped away from the Hill during that time to work on policy issues for Facebook and to be a fellow for the R St Institute.
Jacob Smith, policy adviser, Sen. John Cornyn
Cornyn, a known China hawk, is also in the running to become majority leader. He touches on tech and trade policy across his Finance, Judiciary and Intelligence committee assignments.
- Smith has held various positions on the Hill: In addition to serving on Cornyn's staff, he worked on the House Science Committee and was a legislative aide for Sen. Roger Wicker.
- Smith previously interned at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
