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U.S. Senator Kit Bond announced today that Jason Van Eaton and Matt Roney will be heading up his 2008 political operations. The senior Republican is not up for re-election until 2010, but he appears to be preparing to take a leading role in Republican campaigns for president, governor, and other statewide offices.

From the press release:

COLUMBIA, MO – As this session of Congress nears an end, U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced key staff restructuring in his personal and political operations. State Director, Jason Van Eaton, and Director for the Western Missouri District, Matt Roney, will move over to the political arm of Bond’s operation.

“Jason and Matt have been essential to my official office operations. They are trusted members of my staff and I look forward to continue working with them on our political efforts in a very important election cycle,” said Bond.

More on Eaton and Roney:

W. Jason Van Eaton was born and raised in Southwest Missouri. Jason has served in numerous capacities for Bond, most recently serving as Bond’s State Director for over 7 years. Jason has also focused his efforts on appropriations projects, transportation policy, infrastructure, education, economic development, as well as several major development projects. On the political front, Jason worked on his first campaign in 1994 when John Ashcroft was running for the U.S. Senate. In 1998, Jason served as a Regional Director for Bond’s reelection. During the 2000 election cycle, he was the Campaign Manager for now U.S. Congressman Todd Akin in his first run for Congress. Again in 2004 he served as Campaign Manager, this time, for Bond’s reelection.

Matthew L. Roney was born and raised in greater Kansas City, Missouri. Matt has served in numerous capacities for Bond, most recently serving as Director for the Western Missouri District for the last 6 years. Duties included managing a district staff, coordinating appropriations requests, and coordinating governmental involvement in key economic development projects. Matt also served as Political Director for Senator Bond’s successful reelection in 2004.

About 30 demonstrators, ranging from children to senior citizens, held signs outside of Senator Kit Bond’s office in Clayton yesterday afternoon calling for reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP). The group hoped Bond, who voted in favor of the bill, would encourage Missouri’s other Republican representatives in the Congress to change their minds and vote in favor of SCHIP.

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U.S. Senator Kit Bond and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley were spotted Friday at Sweetie Pie’s soul food restaurant, 4270 Manchester Avenue.

It’s not clear what the two were discussing, but we’re sure the fried chicken recipe came up at least once.

Video by intern Gabe Bullard