Menendez Names New Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor for Latino Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today announced that he has promoted long-time staff member Jason Tuber to serve as his new Chief of Staff. Tuber, who has worked for Sen. Menendez since he arrived in the Senate in 2006, will oversee the Senator’s offices and staff both in Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.

“For the past 16 years, Jason Tuber has been an advocate and champion for New Jersey families and his deep understanding of the needs of my constituents across the state is unmatched. Jason’s experience and expertise will guide us as we get through the current pandemic and economic crisis, work to repeal the cap on state and local tax deductions, finish the Gateway Project, reform the broken National Flood Insurance Program, and ensure every New Jerseyan has access to high quality, affordable health care and education,” said Sen. Menendez. “I have watched Jason grow professionally over the years as he has worked his way up and served in various positions on my staff. He is a proven and effective leader who knows how to deliver real results and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him at my side during the Senate’s new Democratic majority as we work to Build Back Better.”

Raised in Park Ridge, N.J. and a graduate of Colgate University, Tuber started his Senate career in 2005 working the front desk and answering constituent phone calls in Sen. Menendez’s predecessor, Sen. Jon Corzine’s (D-N.J.) office. After Sen. Menendez was appointed to the Senate in Jan. 2006, Tuber stayed on to work in the mailroom, later becoming a Legislative Assistant and eventually Senior Advisor.

After Superstorm Sandy devastated the Garden State in 2012, Sen. Menendez tapped Tuber to spearhead his office’s efforts to help affected New Jerseyans and the state recover, including delivering over $60 billion in federal assistance and leading the charge to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Additionally, Tuber has most recently been Sen. Menendez’s point-person on the Senate Finance Committee, where he helped deliver billions in pandemic relief to state and local communities, pass legislation to make forgiven student loan debt tax-free, fight to repeal a cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, and advance tax relief for working and middle-class New Jerseyans.

“I am incredibly humbled in the trust Senator Menendez has placed in me and beyond excited to lead such an extraordinary team during this consequential time,” said Jason Tuber. “As a New Jersey native, it has been a dream to work for the Senator and witness first-hand his commitment to improving the lives of all New Jerseyans, building a more just and equitable nation, and making the world a safer, better place.”

Tuber replaces Fred Turner, who had served as Sen. Menendez’s chief of staff since 2014.

The Senator also announced today that Carlos Barrezueta will join the D.C. staff as the Senator’s Senior Advisor for Latino Affairs.

“I am excited to welcome Carlos to my legislative staff and look forward to working with him on behalf of Latino families in New Jersey and across every corner of our country,” said Sen. Menendez. “After four years of vile attacks on the Latino community, we must show – in our words, actions, and legislation – that we are a country that embraces, welcomes, and values the contributions of all people regardless of their faith or country of origin. Carlos will bring a wealth of experience in his new role and help me push bold legislation through Congress that empowers and enriches the lives of every Latino in our nation.”

Barrezueta, a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School, has worked in higher education across the country and most recently served as Dean for the Social Sciences, Business and History Division at Union County College in New Jersey. He also previously served as the Executive Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Initiatives at Miami Dade College. Barrezueta also has experience and training in civil rights, affirmative action matters and conflict resolution.

“It is a privilege to join Team Menendez at this pivotal juncture for the Senate and for our country,” said Carlos Barrezueta. “Senator Menendez has always been a champion for our Latino community. As a first generation immigrant and a naturalized American, I hope to fully use my professional and life experiences to help Senator Menendez in boldly advancing Latino prosperity, positioning and recognition in New Jersey and across the United States.”