Hill Diversity

Sen. Helmy Tyler Jones

The Joint Center Commends Sen. George Helmy for Hiring Tyler Jones as Senior Communications Advisor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 8, 2024 

Contact:
Chandra Hayslett, chandra@jointcenter.org

The Joint Center Commends Sen. George Helmy for Hiring Tyler Jones as Senior Communications Advisor

​​WASHINGTON — The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies applauds newly appointed New Jersey Senator George Helmy (D-NJ), a former long term Senate staffer, for hiring Tyler Jones as press secretary/senior communications adviser. 

Prior to this new appointment, Jones served as the deputy press secretary for New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy. She graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s of Science in strategic communications and public relations. She later earned a Master’s of Science in communications and public relations from Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. 

“Seeing Tyler transition into this role as senior communications advisor from her previous role as deputy press secretary is truly exciting. Building diversity in those key pathway positions, such as deputy chiefs of staff, press secretaries/deputy communications directors, and more, will create a more robust, diverse pool of talent that meets the preference of Capitol Hill experience needed when top staff positions become vacant,” said Joint Center Senior Researcher Dr. LaShonda Brenson. “We applaud Senator Helmy for recognizing the necessity of having a diverse top staff and for appointing Tyler. This decision is essential to representing the needs of all Americans. We urge other senators to follow Senator Helmy’s example in hiring candidates of color, so our voices are not lost in the conversation but heard throughout the halls of Congress.”

With the addition of Jones, Black staff account for only 3.2 percent of Senate personal office top staffers in Washington, DC who serve as chiefs of staff, legislative directors, communications directors, or full committee staff directors. Black Americans account for over 13.6 percent of the U.S. population. In the Joint Center’s 2024 report, Pathway Staff Diversity in Senate Personal Offices, we emphasized the importance of policymakers having diverse mid-level staff as it can lead to diverse top staff. Our research found that  African Americans only accounted for 5.4 percent of Senate pathway staff.

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About the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities. We use evidence-based research, analysis, convenings, and strategic communications to support Black communities and a network of allies.