Rep. Chuck Edwards hired a recent college graduate to serve as his new field representative responsible for the six westernmost counties.
Earlier this month Ethan Lake Silver assumed the role left by Brittney Lofthouse in February, according to an announcement by Edwards’ office.
“What he will be focusing on is, simply getting out among the people of the six counties. Listening to what is on their minds and keeping me abreast of their needs and their concerns,” Edwards said.
Edwards said he hasn’t decided where Silver will be based, but he will be using the mobile office, dubbed the Carolina Cruiser. Silver will be responsible for constituent services in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, Swain and Jackson counties.
“I think it’s very important that the field rep for my office live in or very close to the district that they will be responsible for, that certainly is the situation with Lake,” he said.
Silver graduated from Western Carolina University in 2021 and is set to graduate from the university’s Master’s in Public Affairs program in June 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile. WCU confirmed his undergraduate degree but declined to confirm his master’s program participation, citing federal student privacy laws. Edwards’ office did not respond to requests for confirmation prior to publication.
“He is a young, energetic, very intelligent individual that is committed to public service and I am confident that he will fit into my office extremely well,” Edwards said.
His office could not be reached for comment about the salary for the position.
Silver was the deputy clerk and management assistant for McDowell County for more than a year, according to McDowell County Manager Ashley Wooten. He worked for the county part-time from August 2021 through the end of October, and transitioned to full-time employment in November 2021 where he worked until earlier this month. As a full-time employee, his annual salary, was $35,388 according to Wooten.
BPR requested an interview with Silver, but Edwards said his office policy is that staff will not speak with the media.
“Yeah, I’m the elected official in this district and it is my job to make sure that I hire qualified personnel to fill the various positions of the congressional office,” Edwards said. “And his particular position of being a field rep is to be the eyes and ears for me in a portion of the district since most of my time is spent in Washington, D.C.”
