People / Mary Ellen Richardson

Person · House

Mary Ellen
Richardson

CHIEF OF STAFFOffice of Representative Al Lawson Jr.

Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL-16). Accomplished Capitol Hill professional with significant experience and relationships in Congress. Previously served as Legislative Director in the 117th Congress. Long-serving staffer in LaHood's office covering the office's portfolio including matters before the Ways and Means, Intelligence, and China Strategic Competition committees.

Last year's salary

$179,349

Calendar year 2025

Career tenure

10.0y

3 roles tracked

Sponsored trips

5

$5,617 total

Career earnings

$884,752

Chapter I

Compensation Timeline

Summed annual salary across all tracked roles.

Preparing salary timeline...

Chapter II

Employment History

Roles are merged across compensation filings.

CHIEF OF STAFF
House
Feb 12, 2023 to Present
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR
Office of Representative Al Lawson Jr.
forDAl Lawson, Jr. · Democratic · Florida 5th District
House
Jul 1, 2021 to Feb 11, 2023
LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
Office of Representative Al Lawson Jr.
forDAl Lawson, Jr. · Democratic · Florida 5th District
House
Jan 1, 2016 to Jun 30, 2021

Chapter III

Sponsored Travel

5 trips · $5,617 combined disclosed value.

New York, NY
House gift travel filing
Dec 14, 2025 to Dec 15, 2025
Pending
United Kingdom
House gift travel filing
Jul 26, 2025 to Jul 31, 2025
$3,307
Ireland
House gift travel filing
May 28, 2024 to Jun 1, 2024
Pending
Beirut, Lebanon
House gift travel filing
Oct 23, 2022 to Oct 28, 2022
$2,310
Williamsburg, VA
House gift travel filing
Oct 13, 2021 to Oct 15, 2021
Pending