Former Assemblyman Nelson Araujo is taking on the role of incoming U.S. Sen.-elect Jacky Rosen’s state director after losing a bid for secretary of state in November.

Araujo, in a statement, said that he is looking forward to joining Rosen’s team and that he will bring his years of public service experience to her office. Araujo previously served in the Assembly during the 2015 and 2017 legislative sessions, oversaw a statewide homeowner relief program at the Financial Guidance Center and worked in former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid’s office.

“Senator-elect Rosen values representation and is building a staff that reflects Nevada's diversity,” Araujo said. “I look forward to helping shape her legislative priorities here at home and providing Nevadans with access to exceptional constituent services."

In a statement, Rosen said that Araujo’s “deep ties” to Nevada will make him a “great addition” to her staff. Araujo was born in Las Vegas where he was raised in a single-parent home by his mom, a hotel housekeeper and member of the Culinary Union, and graduated from UNLV.

“I'm confident he'll be able to lead my staff in the state as they work towards providing quality constituent services to Nevada's hardworking families,” Rosen said.

Araujo lost the secretary of state’s race to Republican incumbent Barbara Cegavske by a narrow 0.66 percentage points, the only Democrat to lose a statewide election this year.