Councilwoman Melinda Katz' has lost her communications director, James McClelland, who departed her employ to accept a job as chief of staff for the Council's newest member: Anthony Como.
That's a pretty big switch. Although both lawmakers represent Queens, she's a Democrat and he's a Republican.
McClelland, as it turns out, is a registered Democrat. But that's more a factor of his now-former job than ideology.
"In my heart I'm a Republican, on paper I'm a Democrat," he said. "I was a lifelong Republican, but I switched for (Katz). Now I'll probably switch back, but that's no reflection on the Councilwoman."
McClelland, a Middle Village resident, came to politics late in life (for a staffer, anyway). He Used to be a consultant for an Internet tech firm. On 9/11, he was attending a meeting on the 66th Floor of the Twin Towers and survived the attack.
During his long walk home that day, McClelland decided it was time for a mid-life career switch. He went back to school, studying Political Science at Queens College. He met Katz when she came to speak to his class, and later became her intern - at the ripe old age of 36.
With Katz term-limited out of office in 2009 and raising money for a likely comptroller run, McClelland, now 40, decided this would be a good time to make a switch.
He's joining the minority in a Democrat-controlled body, working for its most freshman member who has to run again this fall - just months after winning his seat in a special election.
But, assuming Como wins re-election (he's likely to face Democrat Elizabeth Crowley in a presidential year when Democratic turnout is expected to reach an all-time high), at least McClelland won't have to worry about falling victim to term limits in the near future.
