Sen. Marshall Announces Departure of Long-Time Senate Staffer, Chad Tenpenny

(Washington, D.C., April 11, 2022) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. today announced the upcoming departure of his General Counsel Chad Tenpenny. Tenpenny is the only person to have served on the staff of Senators Bob Dole, Pat Roberts and Marshall. In May, after nearly twenty-four years of service to Kansas as a staff member in the United States Senate, Tenpenny will transition to the private sector. Following his departure, Tenpenny plans to build a law practice that focuses on federal, state and local government affairs, general counsel services and political consulting. 

“Chad has provided steady and strategic advice and counsel to me over my first nearly year and a half in the U.S. Senate. He understands the Sunflower State better than anyone – from every corner of our state, Chad knows how to work behind the scenes to accomplish positive results for all Kansans,” said Senator Marshall. “Chad is loyal, dedicated to his job, and will be missed by all of Team Marshall. I offer congratulations and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

“Serving Kansas and three outstanding and hard-working Senators has been an absolute privilege. Developing friendships with Chairman Roberts, Senator Marshall, fellow staff and community leaders in all corners of our state as well as DC has been a true blessing. I look forward to building on this wonderful experience as I transition to the private sector,” said Chad Tenpenny.

Former Senator Pat Roberts said about his longtime state director and final chief of staff, “The people of Kansas know and respect Chad and depend on him as a direct link to the Federal Government. His steady dependable leadership in the State has been a gift to me and to all Kansans over the years. Chad has been out there riding shotgun, covering all 105 counties, with me since my early days in the Senate. We covered almost every inch of the State, from the Cimarron National Grasslands in Morton County to the eastern border in Wyandotte County.”

Background:

Tenpenny began his public service career as an intern for Senator Dole. After earning both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Kansas, Tenpenny joined Roberts’ Washington D.C. staff focusing on tax and international trade issues. For more than two decades Tenpenny served Senator Roberts in a variety of roles including as State Director and Counsel, and ultimately as his third and final Chief of Staff. Since 2021, Tenpenny has served as Senator Marshall’s General Counsel.

Highlights of Tenpenny’s Senate service include involvement in the effort to permit and fund construction of the South Lawrence Trafficway, accompanying Roberts on a trade mission to Havana, Cuba where they met with Fidel Castro, and serving both Roberts and Marshall in the effort to thoroughly vet and confirm presidential appointees including federal judges. Tenpenny also played a key role in four successful U.S. Senate campaigns.

Outside of his work in the Senate, Tenpenny manages a small family farm in Williamstown and maintains a Lawrence rental property business. He resides in Leawood with his two high school age daughters and wife Chelsea Good. 

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