Rep. Garrett flack paints and scuba dives

Audrey Jones may have only started working as Rep. Scott Garrett’s (R-N.J.) press secretary two weeks ago, but she is no stranger to politics.

Audrey Jones may have only started working as Rep. Scott Garrett’s (R-N.J.) press secretary two weeks ago, but she is no stranger to politics.

Jones, 24, moved to the east from San Diego county and studied at Patrick Henry College. She was a pre-med major and on a whim decided to take a class on campaigns and elections: “I never thought I would end up in politics.”

She graduated with a degree in government and wasn’t quite sure where to go from there. She went home for a week, got a surprise phone call and two days later started working for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004.

Jones interned for Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) before becoming his staff assistant in 2005. She also worked as associate director of communications for the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission that same year. “It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “People had advised that it was a great way to learn how to talk to the press.”

Jones knew she wanted to be a press secretary, but it took her a while to find a representative she wanted to work for: “I was looking for a member who agreed with the same things that I did.”

She used to compete in a form of English horseback riding called Dressage and still rides horses when she can. When she’s not talking to the press she runs, scuba dives and paints.

In other Hill administrative moves, Chuck Clapton has moved to House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s (R-Ill.) office. Clapton will be the new policy advisor for healthcare and social security issues.

Clapton, 37, met his wife Erin while working at the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Clapton had worked there for ten years for three different chairmen including Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas).

Clapton said “being chief health counsel didn’t leave much free time,” but when he has some he enjoys golfing and playing hoops.

Clapton grew up in Newton, Mass., and earned a history degree from Boston College. He also earned his JD from Catholic University Law School.