Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) announced last week that he has hired Constance Shidler as his new district director and Andy Lewin as his new legislative director in his Capitol Hill office.

Shidler, who handled civil litigation cases at the Smithyman & Zakoura law firm in Overland Park, Kan., takes over the district office position from Kaye Cleaver, who is retiring. Shidler received her law degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas.

Lewin is a former legislative assistant for Moore who most recently worked as legislative director for Rep. Max Sandlin (D-Texas). He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kansas and a master’s in American history from the University of Massachusetts.

The Last Frontier on the Hill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced at the end of last month that she had picked a new chief of staff and legislative director.

George Lowe served as legislative director for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) before taking on the top spot in Murkowski’s office. An Anchorage native, Lowe also worked as a legislative counsel, a legislative assistant and a legislative correspondent for Stevens. Lowe holds a law degree from the University of San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon. Prior to his work in Washington, Lowe was Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Alaska state Senate.

Isaac Edwards, a longtime staffer for former Sen. Frank Murkowski (R), has been named legislative director. The Homer, Alaska, native holds a bachelor’s

from California Lutheran University and is working toward a law degree from George Mason University.

Garrett’s New Guys. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) recently announced the promotions of Jay Fahrer, Chris Russell and Geoff Smith and the hiring of Phillip Brown and Andrew Wimer in his Capitol Hill office.

Fahrer, previously Garrett’s legislative assistant, will now serve as the Congressman’s legislative director. A native of North Bellmore, N.Y., Fahrer is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and holds a degree in political science.

Russell, 25, has moved from his previous legislative assistant role to overseeing the Congressman’s legislative work for the House Financial Services Committee. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Russell holds a degree in public administration. He calls West Memphis, Ark., his hometown.

Smith, as legislative correspondent, will now oversee legislative issues ranging from agriculture, civil servants and Congressional reform to campaign finance reform, government reform and waste and District of Columbia issues for the Congressman. The 29-year-old George Mason University graduate holds a degree in economics and hails from Mobile, Ala.

Brown, 30, joins Garrett’s staff as deputy chief of staff. The former legislative director for Rep. Ernie Fletcher (R-Ky.) is a graduate of Centre College and holds a degree in international relations. He calls Nicholasville, Ky., his hometown.

Rounding out Garrett’s changes is Wimer, 24, who has been brought aboard as the Congressman’s new staff assistant. Prior to joining Garrett’s staff, Wimer worked as an intern for the Small Business Committee. He is a graduate of Grove City College in Pennsylvania and hails from Palm Bay, Fla.