Name: Lani Short
Hometown: Cookeville, Tenn.
Position: Press secretary for Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn.
Age: 25
Alma Mater: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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Washington Examiner: Where did you grow up?
Short: I grew up in a smaller town in Tennessee, which was a great place to grow up if you ask me. With one high school in the town, everyone knew everyone. My friends and I spent the weekends driving around town listening to loud music, hanging out in the Walmart parking lot and pulling pranks on our friends. My time was mainly split between social activities and academics. Although I was super involved in musical theater and dance, while also working at Chick-fil-A.
Washington Examiner: When did you first become interested in politics?
Short: My sister used to live in D.C., which was where I first fell in love with the city itself, and made me determined to work here somehow. I was always on student council in high school, but never really considered working in politics as a career. My dad ran for county commissioner once and lost, and then ran again and won. His perseverance was inspiring, and I think the idea of making a difference through policy and politics intrigued me once I moved to D.C.
Washington Examiner: What were the circumstances behind getting your first job working in Congress? Was this right after you got out of school?
Short: So, my first job in Congress wasn’t until this year. Previously, I worked at the Republican National Committee during the 2016 cycle. Because I had never worked in a congressional office before, I wanted that experience coming from the campaign side. My ideal situation would be working for a congressman from my home state, so things worked out really well.
Washington Examiner: What did you do for the RNC in the 2016 election?
Short: I was a press assistant and regional deputy radio booker.
Washington Examiner: What are your typical duties in your current job?
Short: My typical duties include managing the boss’ communications by writing weekly columns, sending press releases when appropriate, managing his social media presence, fielding reporter requests, and making sure the great people of East Tennessee are up to date on what the congressman is up to.
Washington Examiner: How much freedom do you having in writing the columns and managing Rep. Roe’s social media presence? How do you train yourself to say, “This is what the congressman would say?”
Short: Working in this office and getting to know the congressman, you get a feel for the way he talks and conducts himself through the media interviews he does and just through speaking with him. I find that listening to him talk and the phrases he uses helps me formulate the messaging in a more “Roe” fashion. My office works together as a team to decide big topics for writing and usually pertinent items of the day go up on social media.
Washington Examiner: What is your boss like? What’s your working relationship?
Short: The boss is fantastic. He’s humble, caring, grounded and clear and concise in what he believes and stands for, and for me, that’s important. I would still consider myself a newer staffer because most people in the office have worked for him for three-plus years. He’s a great member to work under and learn from because he cares about the constituents of the First District and it shows.
Washington Examiner: Describe a typical day.
Short: My day starts early. I usually spend time with Jesus in the morning before I head to work. Most days at work are full, but never without a few a laughs. I typically have something after work whether it’s church-involved, working out with friends, or enjoying the occasional happy hour.
Washington Examiner: By mornings with Jesus, I presume you mean prayer. Do you do this at home or visit a church before you go to work?
Short: Yeah! I spend time in prayer, reading the Bible, just spending time with him for a bit at home.
Washington Examiner: What is the thing about Capitol Hill that was the most different from what you expected?
Short: Coming from the world of politics into the world of policy was one of the biggest adjustments I had to make. Maybe not the most different because I expected it, but definitely the biggest hurdle. Comparatively, the pace during a campaign is much different than Capitol Hill. Working in communications, timing is everything, especially in the campaign world.
Washington Examiner: What is the most common popular misconception about what Capitol Hill staffers do?
Short: I think the general public tends to assume Capitol Hill staffers make a lot of money to do nothing. Not true.
Washington Examiner: When you tell people what you do how often do they ask if you work with the president a lot?
Short: Not that often actually. They only ask if I’ve met him.
Washington Examiner: How long do you intend to stay working on Capitol Hill?
Short: I’m here until I leave.
Washington Examiner: Any aspirations of your own to get into political office?
Short: Probably not, but I can’t predict the future!
