Longtime House Democratic staffer Jerry Hartz announced Thursday he is leaving the Capitol next week to join a nonprofit supporting democratic governments.  

Hartz has served as the director of floor operations for California Rep. Nancy Pelosi for the past 13 years, times spanning her leading of the caucus in the minority to her election as the first woman speaker to back to the minority. As the staffer who helps coordinates votes and member actions on the floor, Pelosi noted his expertise will be missed. “For more than 13 years, Jerry Hartz’s insight of parliamentary and legislative procedure has been an invaluable asset to my office and the Democratic Caucus,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Jerry has helped to shape and advance the Democratic agenda on the floor of the House for the better part of three decades. I thank Jerry for his outstanding service to the Congress, and I wish him all the best in his new endeavors.”  

Before Hartz joined Pelosi’s office, he worked for Rep. David Edward Bonior as a Rules Committee staffer and a staffer for Bonior’s whip office. When the Michigan Democrat left his congressional seat for an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign, Pelosi became the Democratic whip. Hartz then joined her office.  

Hartz’s last day on the Hill will be Sept. 11, which could be when the House votes on the resolution of disapproval for the Iran nuclear deal. The significant vote could be a fitting last day for Hartz who, as one top Democrat pointed out, has overseen influential debates in the floor.  

“[Hartz] has been instrumental in the management of Democratic efforts on the House Floor during some of the most consequential debates in recent years,” said House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md. “Jerry has worked closely with me and my staff, and he will be missed in the halls of Congress.”  

Hartz will not have much time off, however, as he is set to begin his new job at the National Democratic Institute on Sept. 14. Hartz will join the nonprofit advocating for democratic institutions around the world as the director of government relations and communications.  

“I am thrilled to join the dedicated staff of NDI, who work tirelessly to support strong democratic institutions, transparent and accountable government, and free elections around the world,” Hartz said in an NDI press release. “I look forward to the new challenges that NDI will bring, and am very thankful for the wonderful opportunities I have had to serve Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the entire Democratic Caucus.”  

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated how long Hartz has worked for Pelosi and misspelled Bonior’s name. 

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