This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 8, 2011 - New St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman has hired a new deputy -- Sara Howard -- who is leaving her job as communications director for U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.
As of Monday, Howard will become deputy assessor and director of external affairs, including media relations.
Zimmerman said in a statement that "Howard will directly oversee all external affairs for the assessor's office, including inter-governmental affairs, community outreach, media relations and policy matters and will manage strategic planning, particularly in the development and implementation of major long-term plans to better meet constituent needs."
Howard's job-shift comes as Carnahan is considering his own political future, in the wake of the congressional redistricting that in effect did away with his 3rd District seat.
Howard said her decision had nothing to do with Carnahan and everything to do with the new opportunity offered by Zimmerman. She has worked for the congressman since August 2009.
"I have always been driven by a strong commitment to public service, and I'm thrilled to join a team that is so dedicated to the people of St. Louis County," Howard said. "Like Jake, I know my mission is very clear: make sure that this office is fair, efficient, and responsive to the taxpayers we serve. I can't wait to get started."
Zimmerman said Howard was selected from among three finalists who were chosen via a public search under the procedures of St. Louis County's merit hiring system.
Howard has held communications jobs for a number of state, regional and national Democrats and progressive groups for more than 10 years. She worked on the communications staff in 2000 for then-Gov. Mel Carnahan's bid for the U.S. Senate, and then served on the staff of then-U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn. (now Minnesota's governor). She later worked for the Service Employees International Union and Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, before joining Carnahan.
She is married to media and political consultant Tony Wyche.
