Sen. Lee welcomes new Chief of Staff

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) announced a transition in his senior staff today.

Chief of Staff Allyson Bell will be taking on a new role as senior advisor to Senator Lee, continuing to support his initiatives and policy goals in Utah. Bell’s leadership and dedication have been instrumental in advancing the Senator’s legislative priorities and constituent services for eight years.

Mark Wait, who previously served as deputy chief of staff, will assume the role of chief of staff, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the senator’s vision and policy objectives. His appointment represents a commitment to maintaining strong leadership and advancing a conservative agenda to help Utah families and defend the Constitution.

Senator Lee expressed his deep gratitude to Allyson Bell, stating “Allyson has been a cornerstone of our team, providing exceptional leadership and insight as chief of staff over the last eight years. Her contributions are invaluable, and she’ll be missed in Washington, but I’m thrilled that she’ll continue to help guide our efforts in Utah.”

Working alongside Senator Lee and our dedicated team has been a privilege, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together,” said Allyson Bell. “The best part of the job has been all the Utahns I’ve met in Washington DC and throughout the State.  I look forward to still being a part of Senator Lee’s efforts on behalf of the people of Utah and want to thank him for the opportunity of a lifetime – serving as his chief of staff for eight years.” 

Regarding Mark Wait’s new role, Senator Lee said, “Mark is a proven leader with a clear vision for the future. His expertise and commitment to our state and its people make him the ideal choice to helm our team. I’m confident that with Mark’s guidance, we’ll achieve new heights in serving Utahns and addressing the critical issues facing our nation.

Mr. Wait was born and raised in Utah and is a graduate of Utah Valley University. He started working for Senator Lee in 2019 as an intern, before serving as staff assistant, director of scheduling, and deputy chief of staff. Commenting on his new position, Mark Wait stated, “it is an honor and a privilege to work for Utah’s senior senator. As chief of staff, I will continue to help Senator Lee fight for the people of Utah.” 

These staff changes will go into effect on November 27th. Senator Lee and his team are dedicated to serving Utah’s people and ensuring their voices are heard in Congress.