The Biden White House has hired Wisconsin native Kelliann Blazek as a special assistant to the president for agriculture and rural policy.
Blazek’s career has included a handful of stops around Washington farm policy circles as well as work in her home state and as a food law and policy educator. Her most recent role was in Wisconsin’s Office of Rural Prosperity, where she worked under Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
According to the White House, Blazek has also worked on Capitol Hill for Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, as well as for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, and the Antonin Scalia Law School.
Ferd Hoefner, Blazek’s former NSAC colleague, described her as “a really bright woman with strong legal skills and a lot of legislative experience.”
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“(Blazek has) a really good feel for Congress and how it works, which I think could be really helpful in terms of advising both the Domestic Policy Council and the president,” he said. He specifically referenced her skill in the area of rural development policy as well as her strong knowledge of dairy and livestock policy stemming from her farm upbringing.
“She knows how to get it done,” Hoefner added. “She grew up on a farm, she loves rural America, and I think she’s going to do a really good job serving the president.”
Blazek was one of a handful of new hires announced Friday, including staffers who will be charged with COVID-19 recovery and environmental policy.
“These qualified, impressive, and dedicated individuals reflect the diversity and strength of America and will play critical roles advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling the crises we face and building back our country better,” the White House said in a release.
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