* The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Republican State House Staff Member goes to Jayme Siemer…

Jayme Siemer is one of those people you’re grateful is in the building. She’s sharp, dependable, and brings real institutional knowledge to every conversation. She makes herself accessible to stakeholders and does a great job helping people understand what her members are trying to accomplish. Jayme is responsive, measured, and consistently on top of tough issues, all while keeping her focus on getting the work done.

Jayme was not the top vote-getter by any means, but she’s very good at what she does and I thought she deserved it.

* The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Democratic State House Staff Member goes to Madeline McCune…

It felt like when Madeline came back to staff there was a collective exhale. She’s known to be generous with her time, thoughtful in her decision making, and always focused on doing right by the caucus.

Congratulations to our winners!

* On to today’s categories…

Best Statehouse-Related Public Relations Person

Best State Government Spokesperson/Comms

Bridget Shanahan and Becky Carroll won for best PR people last year, so they’re not eligible this year. Jordan Abudayyeh won for best 2024 government spox, and she’s now in the private sector.

The government spokesperson/comms award applies to all branches of state government. As always, please make sure to explain your nominations or they won’t count and do your best to nominate in both categories. Thanks!

* After you’ve submitted your nominations, please click here and contribute to our annual fundraising drive to buy Christmas presents for foster kids.

Donations during the second week are always lower, but you can change that by stepping up. If you’ve already contributed, please reach out to your friends to encourage them to help spread some Christmas cheer. Remember, those children are in this predicament through no fault of their own. You have the power to help them enjoy the holiday season in a small, but real way. So, again, please click here. Thanks!