The death of close friends and family hits harder when it comes during the Christmas season. On Thursday, Republican Representative Andy Barr announced that his longtime staffer, who also served as his campaign manager, had passed away. Rep. Barr announced his longtime staffer, Tatum Dale, died after serving alongside him for over a decade. The Hill had more details to share on Tatum Dale’s death: Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), a candidate for U.S. Senate, on Thursday announced the death of his longtime staffer and campaign manager Tatum Dale. Dale has worked with the congressman for more than a decade, serving as his top aide in Kentucky and his deputy chief of staff before transitioning into the role of campaign manager when Barr launched his bid to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in 2026. “When I first ran to serve the Sixth District, Tatum Dale was one of the first people who volunteered to help. Born and raised in Murray, Tatum came to the University of Kentucky for college, and I’m forever grateful that she stayed to serve alongside me,” Barr said in a statement released by his office. “For over 15 years, Tatum was the heart and soul of my team,” he added, noting she “held almost every job in my office” over that period. Barr touted the work Dale did for his district, including addressing concerns of veterans, seniors and local families while fighting to deliver funds to dozens of community projects in Kentucky. Here are photos of Dale: I am so saddened and shocked by the loss of such an amazing person, friend, and public servant. Tatum Dale was the sweetest person and dedicated her life towards helping others while serving Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/8C3xIrYdRO — KCTCS President Ryan Quarles (@PresQuarles) December 25, 2025 Here’s Barr’s announcement of Dale’s death: It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I announce the passing of Tatum Dale, my longtime District Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Campaign Manager. My full statement is below: “When I first ran to serve the Sixth District, Tatum Dale was one of the first people who… pic.twitter.com/oZ78QT5LAc — Congressman Andy Barr (@RepAndyBarr) December 25, 2025 Full text: It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I announce the passing of Tatum Dale, my longtime District Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Campaign Manager. My full statement is below: “When I first ran to serve the Sixth District, Tatum Dale was one of the first people who volunteered to help. Born and raised in Murray, Tatum came to the University of Kentucky for college, and I’m forever grateful that she stayed to serve alongside me. For over 15 years, Tatum was the heart and soul of my team. She held almost every job in my office—Scheduler, Field Representative, Deputy District Director, District Director, then Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for my U.S. Senate run. “With Tatum’s leadership, my office favorably closed thousands of cases for Kentuckians—helping veterans, seniors, and families throughout our district. She fought to deliver funds to support dozens of community projects across our Commonwealth. She loved helping people and was a servant of others, just as Christ envisioned us all to be. Maybe that’s why her birth in heaven is a shared birthday with our Lord and Savior. While our hearts are broken, our team finds peace and hope knowing that Tatum is now home with Christ, resting comfortably in the arms of her Savior. “Tatum loved her family, her faith, and her Commonwealth. She made me a better Congressman, our staff better public servants, and we will all miss her forever. From Murray to Lexington and everywhere in the Commonwealth that she touched, we hope you will all join us in praying for Tatum’s family and friends—and be forever inspired by her memory to serve others.”