September 18, 2017      5:43 PM

Updated: Abbott announces staffing shakeup

Luis Saenz is new COS, Tommy Williams joins as fiscal adviser, John Colyandro is senior adviser, Walter Fisher is legislative director, and Peggy Venable will be appointments director

Gov. Greg Abbott has named Luis Saenz his chief of staff upon the announcement of the departure of his long-time COS Daniel Hodge, who’s leaving Abbott’s office for the private sector.  

Hodge has been the one constant since Abbott took the job of governor in 2015 after coming with him from the Office of the Attorney General. Abbott praised his departing team, expressing appreciation for their work, particularly during Hurricane Harvey.

“Their dedicated work provided swift and substantial support to the citizens of Texas who were hit by Hurricane Harvey,” Abbott said. “They also helped me fulfill many of the proposals that I offered in my bicentennial blueprint that I ran on when I ran for governor. And they also helped me to pass all of my emergency item proposals in my first two sessions.”

Gov. Abbott promised “big ideas” he intends to tackle in the upcoming session in 2019, but declined to say what any of those ideas are. He said his team is dedicated first to Harvey relief efforts.

By Kimberly Reeves

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