JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a significant career move, Brian Hughes, a longtime fixture in Jacksonville’s political scene, has been appointed as NASA’s new chief of staff.
This announcement has garnered positive reactions from some local leaders and comes amid discussions about potentially relocating NASA’s headquarters to Florida.
Hughes has held numerous influential positions over the years, including political strategist, leader in the Trump presidential campaign, chief administrative officer, and chief of staff for the city of Jacksonville. His former boss, Lenny Curry, who served as mayor from 2015-2023, praised Hughes’ work ethic and ability to get things done.
“Successful people are successful people because they put really smart people in places that know how to get things done,” Curry said. “When Brian was the chief administrative officer of the city of Jacksonville, things got done. People knew things would happen.”
Hughes’ appointment seems to coincide with efforts in Congress to pass the CAPE Canaveral Act, which aims to move NASA’s headquarters from Washington D.C. to Florida. The proposal has garnered some bipartisan support, with local Congressman and former Jacksonville sheriff John Rutherford co-sponsoring the act.
“When I think of space, I think of Florida,” Rutherford stated, emphasizing Florida’s historical connection to space exploration. “I can remember growing up as a child here and watching all the space launches from Cape Canaveral before it became Cape Kennedy.”
Rutherford was also pleased to hear the news of Hughes’ appointment.
“I know the deep connections that he has to Florida, and we’re pushing hard to get the headquarters moved from Washington D.C. to Florida,” Rutherford said. “I think it’s very important to Northeast Florida, particularly because of all the work we’re trying to do at Cecil Field with vertical launches and that sort of thing.”
Brian Hughes’ new role at NASA is seen by many as a positive development for both Florida and Jacksonville. Former Mayor Curry highlighted the state’s strong representation in national leadership, mentioning figures like White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“We’ve got all these Floridians,” Curry said. I think we’re well-positioned."
It’s unknown exactly who Hughes will serve under.
This past weekend, President Donald Trump announced he was pulling his nomination of Jared Isaacman to become the new NASA Administrator. Isaacman was days away from a confirmation vote.
As Hughes transitions to his new role at NASA, his appointment is celebrated as a testament to Jacksonville’s influence and Florida’s significance in the space industry. With discussions about relocating NASA’s headquarters ongoing, Hughes’ leadership could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of space exploration in the Sunshine State.
