Julie Dwyer, Congressman Bob Etheridge's longtime chief of staff, is leaving this week.

She is moving up to become chief of staff of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, Rob Christensen reports.

Dwyer had been Etheridge's chief of staff since Etheridge was elected in 1996.

Russ Swindell, Etheridge's district director, will serve as acting chief of staff, splitting his time between Etheridge's Raleigh and Washington offices.

Swindell has also been with Etheridge from the beginning of his House career.