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The office of Congressmen Devin Nunes (CA-22) is announcing that its long-time chief of staff, Johnny Amaral, will leave the Nunes team to work for Westlands Water District.  

Having run Rep. Nunes’ first successful campaign for Congress in 2001, Amaral has served as his chief of staff since 2002 and has acted as Rep. Nunes’ top advisor for many of his most important initiatives. In addition to overseeing Rep. Nunes’ staff, Amaral has been a key participant in negotiations over water supplies, public lands, and other pivotal issues.    

“This has been, by far, the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” said Amaral. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting a huge number of our constituents and working with the most incredible people in the Central Valley. It was a tough decision to leave this office and our amazing staff, and to part ways with Devin, who is one of my best friends. But I’m looking forward to a new opportunity with Westlands to continue pursuing one of my main goals of the past thirteen years – to end the man-made drought in the Central Valley.”   

Amaral will join Westlands with the title of Deputy General Manager for External Relations. He will draw upon more than a decade of experience working on water issues, having developed long-standing relationships with Valley families and farmers as well as policymakers and principal stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels.   

“Johnny has been crucial to my efforts, both in our home district and in Washington,” said Congressman Nunes. “He has deep knowledge of all the key issues facing Central Valley communities, and has handled even the most difficult problems with absolute professionalism and a dose of good humor. I commend my good friend for his many years of service to the people of the 22^nd District. While I’m sad to lose Johnny, I think his hiring by Westlands is a positive sign that the water district intends to take a more engaged, pro-active approach to solving the water crisis.” 

Amaral will begin at Westlands on May 1. He will be replaced as Rep. Nunes’ chief of staff by Anthony Ratekin, who will rejoin the Nunes staff after previously serving as field representative. Like Amaral, Ratekin was born and raised in the Central Valley and will be based in the Clovis and Visalia offices.  

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