Griffin picks ex-aide as his chief of staff

Republican Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin has hired a former congressional and campaign aide, Carl Vogelpohl, as his office’s chief of staff, Griffin announced this week.

Vogelpohl fills the vacancy created by Maumelle Republican David Ray’s resignation to serve in the state House of Representatives. Vogelpohl’s salary will be $95,000 a year — the same as his predecessor — said Griffin spokeswoman Hannah Bunch.

He led Griffin’s successful 2010 campaign for Congress, and served as Griffin’s deputy chief of staff and district director before becoming his chief of staff in 2014, Griffin’s office said in a news release. Griffin served as Arkansas’ 2nd District congressman from 2011-15.

After returning to the private sector, Vogelpohl played a prominent role in advising Griffin’s 2014 campaign for lieutenant governor before becoming chief of staff for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, according to the news release. He returned to his consulting firm in 2018. Both Griffin and Rutledge are running for governor in 2022.

Bunch said Tuesday that Vogelpohl “will not be an employee” for Griffin’s gubernatorial campaign, “but his firm will continue to support the campaign separate and distinct from his government service.”

She said Vogelpohl resigned his position as a director of the Arkansas Competes issue advocacy group. The Arkansas Competes group has aired issue-oriented ads involving Griffin.