TribBlog: Alexander Out, Davis In

House Speaker Joe Straus named Denise Davis his new chief of staff and said former Rep. Clyde Alexander, who had held that post, will become a senior advisor. Davis had been the House Parliamentarian, both for Straus, and for a time before that, for former Speaker Tom Craddick. That post will be filled later.

The official announcement:

Former State Representative Clyde Alexander will step down as chief of staff to Texas House Speaker Joe Straus later this month, a year after he returned to Austin from retirement to work for the newly elected Speaker. Alexander will continue to serve the Speaker’s team as a senior advisor.

"One year ago, Speaker Straus asked me to come back in a different capacity to serve him and the members of the House. I leave knowing that this institution is in fine hands with the leadership and vision of Speaker Joe Straus," said Alexander. "It has been an honor to serve and to work with the entire Speaker's staff whose professionalism and dedication contributed to a very successful 81st legislative session. To my friends in the House, thank you for the honor of serving with you once more."

“I appreciate Clyde’s many years of friendship and his willingness to come back to serve our State at an important time,” said Speaker Straus. “I am grateful for his service as chief of staff and his willingness to continue to serve as a senior advisor to my team.”

Speaker Straus announced that current house parliamentarian and special counsel Denise Davis will be promoted to chief of staff.

Davis is a long-time advisor to members of the Texas House of Representatives on legal and parliamentary matters. Prior to her work in the House, Davis worked for two Lt. Governors, for the Texas Supreme Court as director and counsel to the Texas Judicial Council, and served as a drafting attorney for the Texas Legislative Council. Davis has also worked as an attorney in private practice. Davis received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

“Working with Denise for the last year, I value her institutional knowledge, her legal skills, and her dedication to public service. She knows the House well, has sound judgment, and is respected by both Members and her colleagues. I appreciate her willingness to serve in this key role,” said Speaker Straus.