RALEIGH – A former top aide to Sen. Jesse Helms will be joining Governor Pat McCrory’s staff.  Jimmy Broughton will become the governor’s deputy chief of staff, joining John Baldwin, who has served as deputy chief since January 2013.

Among Broughton’s areas of focus will be federal and state government relations, policy and communications. Baldwin will continue to concentrate on appointments, military affairs, administration and operations.  Both men report to Thomas Stith, the governor’s chief of staff.

“Jimmy’s experience and expertise in policy, communication and government affairs will add to an effective team, that under Governor McCrory’s leadership, has brought jobs to North Carolina, improved our education system and reformed transportation planning so more roads and projects are built,” Stith said in a press release.

Broughton served on the staff of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms for 12 years and was chief of staff from 1994 until the end of the senator’s term in 2003. As Helms’ chief of staff, Broughton had a variety of responsibilities that included managing the senator’s legislative agenda and coordinating presidential nominations.

Broughton joined the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP in 2003 and has worked on a variety of state issues, including education, healthcare, economic development and military affairs.

Broughton resigned all of his lobbying clients, according to state records.

A Raleigh native, Broughton is the grandson of former Governor J. Melville Broughton who served from 1941-45.  He received his B.A. from Wake Forest University and lives in Winston-Salem with his family. Broughton will begin his new position on January 5, 2015.

Broughton’s annual salary will be $130,000. His first day is Jan. 5.