Renee Aschoff

CARSON CITY - U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Las Vegas) endorsed her party's presumptive nominee, Ill. Sen. Barack Obama, for the presidency today.

Berkley had previously endorsed N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton in January.

"Barack Obama is my choice for President because he brings the hope of a brighter future, and he will deliver the change our nation is craving," said Berkley.  "Senator Obama has visited Nevada numerous times and he understands our issues.  He is well aware of how the economic slowdown has impacted our state.  I know Senator Obama is looking forward to campaigning in Nevada and I look forward to helping him win in Las Vegas and throughout the Silver State this November."

Renee Aschoff, campaign manager of Shelley Berkley for CongressLas Vegas- In the coming weeks, PolitickerNV.com will be profiling some of the staffers and consultants who work so hard to get these guys and gals elected and us something to write about.  Today's subject: Renee Aschoff, campaign manager of Shelley Berkley for Congress.

Aschoff, 38, is one of a rare breed of campaign staffers, but by no means unknown, who have worked exclusively for one candidate throughout their political career.  Her work in politics began in 1998 with Berkley's first campaign for congress, but her relationship with Berkley was formed several years earlier when both were employed by The Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

"I was a political novice by every sense of the word," recalled Aschoff Thursday.  "[Berkley] said that she was going to run for congress and, being a good assistant (which I was at the time), I said let me know what I can do to help."