By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rep. Richard Hudson and Congressman-elect Ted Budd have been friends for years. Now, Budd will get one of his first congressional staff hires from Hudson, too.

Both congressmen announced hirings and promotions within their congressional offices this week. Hudson, a Republican, represents the 8th Congressional District in North Carolina. In January, Budd, a Republican, will be sworn into his first term as the 13th District representative.

One of Budd’s first hires will be Todd Poole, who most recently served as Hudson’s chief of staff. Poole also worked from 2013 to 2015 as the N.C. Republican Party’s executive director. Now, he’ll serve as Budd’s district director.

”He is a proven leader with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the district and state,” Budd said in an announcement about the hiring. “His insights and experience will prove invaluable as we build a team to provide top-notch constituent services.”

Commenting on Poole’s departure, Hudson said Poole has been an “incredible leader” for his office and worked hard to serve the community.

“We will miss his leadership, invaluable experience and get-it-done attitude,” Hudson said in a news release. “Renee and I are grateful for his service and we wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

Hudson said his chief of staff will now be Chris Carter, who has worked for Hudson for more than five years. Carter was most recently Hudson’s district director and deputy chief of staff. He also worked as Hudson’s campaign manager during the 2012 election.

“I am confident his expertise and leadership will guarantee my office stays focused on serving the needs of the people of our community,” Hudson said.

With the district director position open, Hudson will hire the deputy campaign manager for Gov. Pat McCrory’s reelection campaign — Billy Constangy — to fill the spot.

Budd’s chief of staff will be Andrew Bell, who was his campaign manager. Bell has also worked as director of advance for Dr. Ben Carson, who ran for president in 2016, and as a special assistant to former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

“I look forward to working with him on a daily basis as I represent the best interests of the 13^th District,” Budd said about Bell’s hiring. “My wife Amy Kate and I trust Andrew and in his ability to help put together and lead a Congressional staff that will be fighting to create jobs, lower taxes, and preserve freedoms for North Carolina’s 13^th District citizens.”

In an announcement about his hiring, Bell said he was honored to work for Budd because he’s not just another politician.

“Having led his campaign efforts, I know first-hand the frustrations that 13^th District voters have with the federal government and why they decided to send someone serious about creating jobs, lowering taxes, and protecting the Constitution to Congress,” Bell said in a news release.

Amid all the job changes, Hudson has also promoted his legislative director, Curtis Rhyne, to a dual position that includes the titles legislative director and deputy chief of staff.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.