What Ever Happened to . . . R.C. Hammond?

Die-hard political junkies may remember R.C. Hammond, a staffer for former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) who served as Smith's campaign spokesman during the heated 2008 election cycle that swept the GOP incumbent out of office.

They may also remember Hammond's abrupt exit from Oregon politics. About a year ago, just as Smith's ill-fated battle to keep his seat was gearing up, Hammond left the campaign. Hammond's replacement said Hammond had entered the private sector. But for months there was no word on where he'd landed.

Mystery solved: Since Jan. 1, Hammond has been the senior communications director for the Organization for International Investment, a D.C. outfit representing foreign companies with subsidiaries in the United States. Hammond says he's happy to have landed in "a good spot."