Changes

Ch-ch-ch-changes. Cue David Bowie.

Tim Albrecht, a.k.a, the Beanwalker, is trading beans for Branstad. Albrecht has begun as Terry Branstad's communications director. Gee, do you think this means Branstad will run for governor? Yes, that's sarcasm:) Here's the release from the Branstad, uhm, "campaign" (what exactly do we call it at this point?):

Governor Branstad 2010 Committee Names Tim Albrecht as Director of Communications
(URBANDALE, Iowa) – The Governor Branstad 2010 Committee today named Iowa Republican strategist Tim Albrecht as its Communications Director. Albrecht will handle media relations, new media and the online efforts of the campaign. He officially begins today.
“We are excited to have Tim join this campaign,” said Branstad committee leader Jeff Boeyink. “His extraordinary experience in both traditional and new media will be beneficial as we move forward in our efforts. His addition shows growing momentum as Governor Branstad explores a possible gubernatorial bid.”
Albrecht previously served on the campaigns of presidential candidate Steve Forbes and gubernatorial candidate Steve Sukup. He served four years as Communications Director for House Speaker Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City. He then served as the Iowa Press Secretary for Gov. Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and currently is Communications Director for the American Future Fund – a nationwide conservative grassroots advocacy group based in Iowa.
“Governor Branstad is tested, proven and ready to lead this state in a positive direction,” said Albrecht. “Iowans in every corner of the state are concerned about mounting job and economic losses, as well as the bleak outlook of this state’s finances. It is time for us to have a strong leader in the governor’s office who will focus on moving Iowa forward.”
Albrecht served clients through his full-service communications firm, Albrecht Public Relations, and ran the popular conservative-leaning news aggregator http://www.TheBeanWalker.com, which Albrecht says will continue under a new publisher to maintain the integrity and independence of the site throughout the primary and general elections.

Former Iowa Representative Libby Jacobs also has a new job. She had been a victim of budget cuts at The Principal Financial Group, which cost her job as director of community relations. Jacobs was a 7-term Republican representative from West Des Moines, who didn't seek re-election in 2008. She just launched The Jacobs Group. Here's how she described her new endeavor in an email to me today:

The Jacobs Group is a consulting firm providing assistance to not-for-profit agencies and for-profit businesses in the areas of community/public relations, fund development strategies, grantwriting, and government affairs. The state's ethics laws preclude me, as a former legislator, from doing lobbying, so the government affairs activities center around issues management and grassroots organization.

And, for the 3rd "ch" of our ch-ch-ch-changes...1st District Congressman Bruce Braley has a new communications director, Caitlin Legacki. The name, "Caitlyn", sure can have a lot of spellings. Anyway, here's the release:

New Communications Director Joins Braley’s Staff

Washington, DC – Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) announced today Caitlin Legacki will serve as communications director in his Washington D.C. Congressional office. Legacki lived in Iowa during the 2008 presidential caucus when she worked for former U.S. Senator John Edwards’ press office in Des Moines.

Most recently, Legacki served as press secretary for U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC). During the 2008 general election, Legacki served as press secretary on Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) Senate campaign and is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I’m excited to add Caitlin’s experience and motivation to my team,” Braley said. “She’s very familiar with the people of Iowa and related issues, which make her a great fit. Caitlin has a diverse background of experience and a passion for this field that will make her a unique asset to my office.”