Topeka ? Kansas Senate Majority Leader Jay Emler says an official with a child advocacy group will be his chief of staff.

Stephanie Mullholland is leaving a job as communications director for Kansas Action for Children to work for Emler, a Republican from Lindsborg.

Mulholland has worked previously for the Kansas Press Association and the state chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Republican senators named Emler last month to replace Independence Republican Derek Schmidt as majority leader after Schmidt was elected Kansas attorney general.