Idaho Sen. Jim Risch has announced the hiring of a new press secretary, Suzanne Bottorff, who previously worked for Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., as an assistant press secretary and interim press secretary. Bottorff replaces Kyle Hines, who left Risch's office for graduate school at the University of Texas. In her new position, Bottorff will be Risch's media contact in Washington, D.C., and also will work with constituent communications through the office's website, electronic newsletter and telephone town halls. Risch said, "I am very pleased to have Suzanne join my staff to handle communications in my Washington, D.C. office. Her experience will be an asset in communicating with Idahoans about my work on their behalf."

Lugar, the senior senator from Indiana, lost his bid for a seventh term in the GOP primary this year.