Abrams

Nevermind this. I'm staying in.

Sign out. Waive the 24.

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION RELEASE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE Q2 2017 RNC statement regarding the conduct of certain members of the Republican Senate Caucus Today, RNC Chairman Tom Donelson of Texas released the following statement: "After review with our national executive council and our General Counsel, I have taken no easy action in formally issuing a censure to Senator David Stewart and Senator Logan Roy. The process used to decide such a process was done holistically, with no malice or intent to harm the careers of these two men. However, after reviewing several inflammatory and quite frankly insensitive comments by Senator Roy, and after learning of conductive harmful to a unified and healthy Senate caucus, as well as negotiations that in no way included upper leadership by Senator Stewart, I have decided to take this measure to formally reprimand both gentlemen and make a statement that their actions and conduct where not only wrong, but harmful to the health of the Republican National Committee. As chairman, it is not only my job to make sure our caucus lives, but thrives. After three presidential election losses and the loss of the Senate, it is imperative, now more than ever, that our party unify, that we stop scaring away communities that are ke to having open political dialogue and discussion, and that we stop political games and division amongst ourselves, games that only hurt conservatives ideals, values and principles and help Democrats win. I understand this action may seem unprecedented, however it is my beleif and the beleif of the executive action this punishment is warranted. However, I hope both of these gentlemen, my colleagues, can learn and grow, and I look forward to working with the both of them." R.C. Hammond, Communications Director

Senator Tom Donelson (R-TX) speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February of 2017 in National Harbor, Maryland Thank you all for such a lovely, great crowd here. Thank you all for coming to this amazing, amazing event here in Maryland. It is so great to meet with people from around our country, and our world too. To the millions of you watching from across both, thank you for tuning in. I'm Tom Donelson, the Junior U.S. Senator from Texas. I know I'm a long way from Texas, and a short bit of a way from D.C., but alas, it is amazing and an honor to be here with you all. During my time in the Senate, I have fought for our lord, our nation, our party in that order. Our party, our beliefs are what have made this country great and prosperous for long. We must never forget the works of people like Paine, Lincoln, Grant, Coolidge, Goldwater, Reagan and beyond in forging this nation and her beliefs. America is a conservative country, and conservatism has made this nation strong. Yet, for many in this room, I know it doesn't feel like that. It feels as if the nation slips away from us, turns against the ideals that we know have made our nation great. When I worked at Exxon, especially after that awful, awful, 1989 spill, it was brutal. Our bosses told us to stick straight to the truth and the fact of the situation; when I worked for President Bush, he emphasized that putting a tiara on a tarantula still made it a tarantula. When facing our current situation, it is dire. We've lost three straight races for the White House. Two years after winning the Senate, we resoundingly gave it back. Our youth seems more and more liberal, bought into the Democratic Party. Our court, as we saw in Obergefell, ignores our rights, our constitution, our history. For some commentators, well, it's time to write an obituary for our party: we'll never win another election, some say. In 1936, when Alf Landon only carried two states out of 48, Gallup was so convinced that the Republican Party had died that they did poll after poll asking the American people if our party had died (majority said it had). The pundits said that Eisenhower was going to be the last Republican for thirty years in 1964. And of course, in 2008, a William Warren cartoon likened the party to the Wooly Mammoth. The prediction of the death of the Republican Party is as old as time. Yet, after every landslide defeat and every "banishing to the basement", we get stronger and stronger. It took 16 years after 1936, but we came back roaring. In 1968 and 1980, we came back from landslide defeat and scandal in the latter example to lead our nation to unprecedented heights, the Reagan Revolution shows exactly how you win when your opponent has a trifecta and your party still must fight the taintedness of Watergate. What do all of these examples have in common? Each showcases a tale of two parties: a party that had forgotten its values and what it stood for, and a party that of course corrected itself. After 1936 and FDR, we realized that what America needed was stability, a post war and post Depression world, a world of total and ultimate challenge against Communism and the Soviet Union, and a world where we put our families first. After 1974 and 1976, we realized America wanted the truth again; they wanted to trust their governments, they wanted their world safe from global threat and tyranny, rising energy costs. They wanted their communities and families safe from drugs and crime. They wanted to preserve and strengthen the Nuclear family, with an emphasis on bigger earnings, better schools, and the sanctity of marriage. When we look at the current state of the Republican Party we see that exact same problem. This party has not only forgotten its voters and values, but it has forgotten its country. We don't cater to the folks in real America, places like Ohio and Pennsylvania, in Appalachia, the people that helped us end and crush the New Deal Coalition. We got used to the unprecedented success of our party in the 1980s and got comfortable with that. We catered Wall Street instead of Main Street. Now, I know what you all must be thinking: Is this Mr. Exxon saying the GOP needs to do a better job at catering to our working class? Yes, yes I am. I'm saying that because I've seen the best of both worlds. I worked for everything I have and became an American success story. And then I was able to work and thrive in the economic world and the political world. And through jumping in that new world, I saw exactly why our party has faced this low form crumble. We took the American people for granted. In 1994, we were given an unprecedented majority. We proceeded to let Bill Clinton evade us for 6 more years. After 9/11, people trusted our party, our President, with over 80% support. We lets the next 8 years be marked by indecision and failure in the War on Terror due to bureaucratic elites debating each other into quagmire. Our post Cold War economy popped. We then proceeded to have one of the greatest demonstrations and expressions of displeasure with the new liberal order with the Tea Party movement, a movement I supported from day one. What did we do? In 2012 and 2016, we nominated "safe", uninspiring and frankly unqualified leaders who could rise to the challenge. And we now wonder why we will be locked out of 2 out of 3 branches of Government for the foreseeable future. It's time we remember why we do what we do, and not only that, remember that the American people agree with us. Americans do not want the southern border to be attacked and broken day after day by illegal immigrants from Latin America who are dangerous, unvetted and seeking to create chaos, lawlessness and disorder as they're attracted by sanctuary cities. The American people want lower taxes and regulations on our families, especially those in industry and labor, so that they can work harder and keep more of what they own, to provide not only a life of stability for themselves and their families, but outstanding comfort for their families. The American people believe in marriage between one man and one woman, in across the board gun rights for all, and for a strong America which sees the values of freedom and liberty spread throughout the world as dictators and despots cower to their own dark places of the world. Go to Long Island, New York, or Orange County, Los Angeles, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: I encourage you to ask anyone out there if they want this America, or the America of Planned Parenthood on demand, amnesty for all, the repeal of the second amendment and the death of the nuclear family. It was that contrast that got us 1972, 1984 and 1988, and it will get us a Republican Revolution in 2020. It is time for a redefinition and reassessing of what it means to be a Republican in 2017 and beyond. The Republican will not die, nothing like it. We all know that if there is one thing that people in this country love, it is choice. If the party does not advance and reassess how it plans to achieve conservative goals, agendas, and projects, we will lose the voters en masse. Not only would our party look and feel radically different, but our party would as well. The conservative dream would die. It is time for our leaders to say what they do and lead, to innovate, change and adapt; I have incredible faith that they will. When that happens, the Vice President, a man ashamed to be from Wisconsin not because of its values or any serious matter but simply because of who they voted for, will wake up this spring horrified as his party of elitists, of radicals and pure partisans loses another Senate seat. That horror will continue into 2018 as we mobilize, come together and take back the Senate and the House, and certainly into 2020 as we take back the White House from this occupant. The Republican Revolution begins now. Success always begins in struggle, Revolution in times of ruin. Barry Goldwater once said that “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have.” Well, the conservative movement, no matter how beat, broken or battered, will always be big enough and inspired enough to take back our country and return it to the values that led our heroes to the moon, to the beaches of Normandy, and to cross the Delaware. Thank you, god bless you, and god bless our country.

Senator Tom Donelson (R-TX) addresses the Munich Security Conference, February of 2017 Thank you very much for having me, and for the warm welcome. It has been a pleasure to be in Munich and in this country with you all discussing how we can make our world a safer place among many new challenges and difficulties. Munich is a fitting place to host this event. No nation, no people have seen and experienced the destruction of war in Europe like Germany in the first half of the 20th century. The German people, as well as the people of this continent, have been faced with division, strife, and geopolitical tension unlike any other. Following the Second World War, Europe was divided, seemingly until the end of time. Across the pond, before the second World War, Charles Lindbergh was a friend of fascism and anti-semitism, yet a celebrity due to his record breaking flights around the globe. It was the celebrity that led him to be an unlikely advocate and champion of isolationism, and as a result, millions of Americans were smitten to that ideology. Who could blame them? The nation, like the world, was going through the Depression, and we had already fought a costly first war. Mr. Lindbergh had argued that Isolationism was not merely a policy of leaving the world behind, but of independence. That myth was shattered on December 7th, 1941, and truly, the whole world was at war. Following that war, we committed ourselves to never make the mistakes of settling into isolationism again. The global neighborhood had to stick together and look out for each other, to eternally stand for peace and freedom or risk totalitarian or authoritarian government. In 1948, we passed the Vandernberg resolution, and Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan said that "Politics must stop at the water's edge". A year later, we all from around the world founded NATO in 1949. Nearly 70 years later, NATO is the most successful alliance in modern human history. There is no guarantee like a complete and total defense of one another should worse come to worse. Yes, we fought a Cold War for over forty years. Why did that Cold War never go hot? Because leaders in Moscow understood an attack on one NATO member was an attack on all. Even our most hawkish on both sides of the sea did not want to see Europe desecrated, destroyed and discarded with the deaths of millions. Some 70 years later, we stay strong, we've stayed mostly peaceful, as Europe has not seen a major land war between the powers since the second world war. Yet. There are those in many around our alliance who take the position of a Lindbergh. The Cold War is over, they say; we live in a post war world, however nonsensical that is. We're getting out of a recession, they say; we must ignore our neighborhood and focus on our own people. They say this as authoritarianism rises across Eastern Europe, as a dictator based in Moscow uses the Gerasimov Doctrine to take Crimea from Ukraine, a freedom loving people, to block their access to the Black Sea. This same dictator has killed journalists and dissidents both within and outside his borders, and has attempted to assassinate leaders who refuse to bend to his will. Just ask Viktor Yuschenko. Back in the U.S., many of our communities have something called a neighborhood watch. You see something, you say or do something. If you notice a prowler in the yard, someone jingling by a door or window, you go up to that person and make sure your neighbor and their property is safe until the police can arrive. You give this assurance to neighbors new and old. This is why NATO has worked for so long. No matter a state's GDP, military contributions or size, we stick up for each other because a threat to democracy and freedom over in one place is just a threat within our borders. It is why our leaders in the U.S. for so long have taken politics out of foreign affairs, and why we must continue to do so. In 2017, we must realize that our world, if only a few matters or instances go another way, could be as dangerous as they were in 1939. We must realize that our best bet to keep our world safe is NATO. We know that the despots are watching. Vladimir Putin has made a concerted effort of threatening the sovereignty of NATO aspirants in Georgia and Ukraine. We know what happens when weak leadership fails to protect these aspirants, like when Barack Obama, when faced with clear evidence about Putin's intentions on Crimea only issued strongly worded statements that caught the intention of the world but did not stop this terrible, terrible act from occurring. It is time that we revamp this organization, so that the organization that held the world from the brink in the late 1900s can do it for the entirety of this century. It is time that we openly begin to expand our organization to other states that share our values and seek a more peaceful world through collective security. The global leaders who truly want to make this world safe will heavily consider inviting Finland, Ukraine, Georgia, Sweden, Armenia and Bosnia to our ranks. If President de la Cruz wants to show the world that she has learned from the failure of the Obama Administration, she must be a premier leader on meeting with the leaders of these nations and evaluating what their intentions on this matter are. Membership in NATO is not just a matter of security or military strength. NATO members have been proven and shown to be far healthier economically, they're stronger democracies with healthy elections, freedoms and freedom of society and of the press, and are especially better at these facets than their non-NATO member neighbors. We must expand the parameters of assistance to non NATO members who seek it, to show that we especially care for global stability even for states outside of NATO. If Austria or Ukraine, for example, want our help but cannot make the commitment or jump to joining, their requests should be considered, and aid from the organization to non members should be expanded. President Ronald Reagan once said that "peace is not obtained or preserved by wishing and weakness". If we want to keep Europe and the world safe, we cannot bend to the forces or factions in our society who think our global neighborhood is no longer as important as it was. The collective can either choose wishing or weakness, or strength and solidarity. There will always be a boogeyman or a threat lingering somewhere. Vigilance and constant commitment to each other will keep our world safe and thriving. Thank you all, it has been a pleasure.

Name: Tom Donelson (R-TX) Media/Outlet: Fox News - Fox & Friends Reason: House Speaker Election; 2016 election; future of GOP "I'm not going to front. I was publicly critical of Speaker Ryan, not that I have anything against the Speaker as a person, but because we lost the White House, Senate, and seats in Congress. At times, change can be good. With that being said, we have had an election for Republican caucus leader. His colleagues have supported him and he has won. Debates are good, and democracy is good and it is clear through both he has the support of his caucus. I support him as Speaker, and responsible members of our party will do the same. It is time to move on and end this public hashing out of differences "His winning re-election, though, does not mean we can ignore what went down in November. Our vision, our proposals are landing flat with the people. If we do not wisen up and do not come together, really ask ourselves what we're doing, what we are selling people, we are going to lose in 2018 and 2020 in beyind. It is not like the President is some grand leader with a grand mandate. She barely won and now has assembled an agenda out of Sanr Francisco or New York City, clearly not for the American people. We're going to take her to task one way or another. "Our party needs to focus on real Americans, real people. People are hurting and in pain. Democrats have failed to fix this country in the wake of a terrible financial crisis, and if we keep letting them 'lead' it will only be worse. Russia and China will over take us, our nation will be less secure and we will hurt at home too. We need to have a serious reckoning and blow up the way we do business and think about policy. I think it would be great for us to have a document or slate of ideals like the Contract with America, obviously revamped, as we move forward with this new President."

Q1, 2017 - Sen. Tom Donelson officially sworn in for the 115th Congress WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Tom Donelson of Texas officially was sworn in to commence his service as a member of the United States Senate for the 115th Congress. Senator Donelson was sworn in by Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Senator Donelson would be flanked by wife Deena, sons Lane and Andy and daughter Natalie. Senator Donelson would thank outgoing Vice President Biden for his service and send his condolences to the Biden family concerning the loss of son Beau to cancer. Of the Vice President, the Senator would say that "We've clearly had our disagreements, some tough times in the press but we must not forget how much of a great, honorable and kind man Mr. Biden has been. I wish him the best in retirement; he has really earned it." Senator Donelson said wife Deena had cooked the Vice President a nice slab of Texas brisket, which he presented following being sworn in. Senator Donelson would be sworn in on the floor of the Senate, and twice again in the famous "mock swearing in" in the old Senate chamber with family and the Vice President. The Senator would use the Old Senate chamber to speak on a number of legislative concerns, as he invited a number of reporters to the swearing in. "Looking around this room is always stunning and beautiful. There really was nothing like the golden age of the Senate. It had some great times, like Webster and Atchison and Hayne, and bad times, the caning of Senator Sumner being most memorable. At the end of the day, we have to go to work and ask ourselves what legacy are we leaving, what work are we truly getting done in this body, for our people? I think Carlin's quote of this being a big club and the people not being in it is so harsh, but at times correct, because sadly many of my colleagues get in this big club and don't do the work they committed themselves to. If our leaders remembered the oath they took, the promises they made, and the fact that the preservation of our constitution and our values came before all, I don't think it's a wild thing to say that this country would be so much better off." Any additional press inquiries may be directed to incoming Communications Director Chris Connelly.

Q1, 2017 - Sen. Tom Donelson announces staff for 2017-2019 session/115th Congress WASHINGTON, D.C. - In preparation for the convening of the 115th Congress, Senator Tom Donelson of Texas would announce several upper-level staff hirings for the Washington, D.C. office. Senator Donelson would say that "Each member of the United States Senate is really only as good as their staff is, and I mean that completely. The vision, work and mission of a Senate office is driven not by the 'Boss', but people who come in everyday, attend and take note of hearings, constituent needs and the need of the state as a whole, and take note of what is going on in the Lone Star State and a country as a whole. Our office in particular was able to achieve so much in the 114th Congress, and I know as we enter the 115th Congress and I enter my fifth year in this body, we have so much more we can be doing. Our staff is one of the most experienced in the United States Senate, with multiple Senior staff level members having served as either Deputy Chiefs or Chief of Staff, experience that will see our office have so many great leaders and thinkers on board. As a result, it is an honor to announce several key staff hires": CHIEF OF STAFF - ANDREW DUKE: Andrew Duke is a veteran of both Washington and Capitol Hill in general, with a career spanning over a quarter of a century of delivering results and working hard for conservative goals and ideals. Duke would serve in the research department of the 1992 Bush-Quayle Campaign, serve in the National Republican Senatorial Committee, work in the policy and political realm for years for former Congressman Robin Hayes (R-NC) including a stint as Chief of Staff and Communications Director, and would serve as Chief of Staff for Congressmen Phil Roe and Jeb Hensarling, the latter would have duke handle critical work for the House Committee on Financial Services. Donelson on Duke: "The battles of this next Congress are going to be deep, deep into the weeds, especially on regulatory, taxing and banking matters. Not only is Andrew a veteran, but he is one who makes the people and staff around him better as a result." DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF - DAN MCFAUL: Dan McFaul is the former Communications Director and Chief of Staff for former Congressmen Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Joe Scarborough (R-FL). McFaul would work on the 1996 and 2000 campaigns of Scarborough and as legislative director for Scarborough. McFaul has worked on over 20 campaigns, and was a senior analyst for the NRSC. McFaul would serve as the longtime Communications and Chief of Staff for Miller, capping off over 15 years of service for Miller and over 20 for both North Florida members of Congress. Donelson on McFaul: "Not only is Dan a guy who understands how we can effectively and clearly communicate to our constituents, but his tireless and hard work on the hill and in the world of campaign give him a diverse understanding of the way Washington conducts itself". COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - CHRIS CONNELLY: Chris Connelly has a long and storied career of service in Washington, and his experience in communications and press relations is matched by only a handful. Connelly would start his career as support staff for former House Minority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), and would work for the NRCC, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Congresswoman JoAnn Davis (R-VA), Director of Communications at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Communications Director at the Chamber of Congress, and for members of Congress Scott Rigell (R-VA) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO). Connelly was Chief of Staff for Hartzler, Rigell, and Davis. Donelson on Connelly: "Rarely, rarely, rarely do you find someone with the experience running several offices that Connelly has. When you do, you pickup the phone and make an offer, because the experience Chris Connelly is experience that not only trickles down to your staff, but to your press shop and helps it run seamlessly and in a top of the line fashion." LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR/NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: PETE GIAMBASTIANI: Pete Gambiasti is an American hero with long tracks of service in the U.S. Navy, Congress, and the Department of Defense. Coming from a long line of veterans, Giambastini would serve as surface warfare and intelligence officer, a liaison to the House of Representatives and is a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Giambastiani would serve as Special Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy and help re-organize the office as he helped coordinate intelligence operations. Giambastiani would go onto a career in government, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Chief of Staff Tom Rooney (R-FL). Giambastiani's incredible and impeccable work and experience in both government and the military will see him serve as both legislative director and Senator Donelson National Security Advisor. Donelson on Giambastiani: "Our office has long hesitated in 'doubling up' in hires, but Pete has shown that he can handle both worlds very effectively. There are very few in Congress who have the experience and know how on military affairs that he does, and his hard work for members like Jeff Miller and Tom Rooney have proven he can effectively lead our legislative team." POLICY ADVISOR: MIKE ALBARES: Mike Albares is a true Washington, D.C. success story, starting as an intern for proud conservative and Alabama institution Terry Everett (R-AL), a staff assistant for Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), before landing with Congresswoman Martha Roby's office, where he has been since. Albares would work for Roby (R-AL) as a Legislative Correspondent, Assistant, and Legislative Director. Donelson on Albares: "Mike is a young man with an incredibly bright future and outstanding tenure of producing results. We are proud to have him on our team as we seek to lead the way in the Senate on getting bills up and enacted." Any additional press inquiries may be directed to incoming Communications Director Chris Connelly.

Q4, 2016 - Sen. Tom Donelson congratulates National, Texas Republicans on handful of election wins, talks of the future. HOUSTON, TX. - As the Harris County Republicans convened in downtown Houston to watch the results of the 2016 election results, Senator Tom Donelson would be one of the hundreds in attendance. Despite losing the Presidential election and various Senate seats in rather close fashion, Donelson would say that "The very fact that we have kept our House majority is strong enough proof, and certainly a strong indicator, that people in this country want a conservative hand on the wheel. They want conservatives and our party to have a seat at the table. Ever since we took back the House in 2010, we have governed with strength, efficiency and drive that I'm proud of." Senator Donelson would also congratulate Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler, as well as numerous elected officials who have helped the state party keep a strong grip on the state. "Well, I certainly think Tom has done a great job, an outstanding job. Despite the fact the Democratic nominee is from this state, and their party flushed in cash and all sorts of left wing influence into our state, we performed so, so well. Guys like Will Hurd, Kenny Marchant and Pete Olson who competed in some very close races knew what was expected of them, and did so well. You will not have to worry about members of our state Republican delegation faltering when Congress takes up business in January at all, and I think we're going to perform even better nex cycle". Senator Donelson did speak as well on the state of the Republican party as a whole, especially after losing the Senate and White House. "It was obviously a tough night. We really could have and should have won the presidency, and losing the Senate only after two years in charge hurts. I think our party has to have some very real and tough conversations with ourselves about our vision, where our party plans to go, how we can market ourselves and offer strong solutions that see our border secured, taxes lowered, our world safer in the face of radical Islamic terror, and the Obama Agenda wiped clean from the record. We're going to work hard to fix these things, and come back stronger in 2020." Any additional press inquiries may be directed to incoming Communications Director Chris Connelly.

Thank you, and thank everyone for the warm welcome. Just FYI, I have added in my caucus, notable votes, and some other little tidbits.

Senator Tom Donelson (R-TX) - Press Office & Public Appearances Press Office: 1. 2. 3. Activities & Events: 1. 2. 3. - - - Offices: Washington, D.C. (Hart Senate 214) Dallas, T.X. Houston, T.X. San Antonio, T.X. Austin, T.X. El Paso, T.X. Lubbock, T.X.

Name: Thomas Shearden Donelson Seat: Texas I Party: Republican Avatar: Gary Palmer Major Caucus: Republican Freedom Caucus Gender: Male: 0 Points Date of Birth: March 5th, 1949 Place of Birth: Shreveport, Louisiana Race: White/Caucasian: 0 Points Religion: Southern Baptist: 0 points Educational History: B.A. in Political Science, Princeton University (Class of 1971) Juris Doctor in Law, Cornell University (Class of 1975) Employment History: Legislative Assistant, Congressman James M. Collins: 1976-1977 Attorney, Baker, Botts and Baker: 1977-1981 Candidate, United States Congress/Texas' 3rd: 1982 Attorney, ExxonMobil (Houston): 1984-1991 Energy Advisor, Bush-Quayle 1992 Campaign: 1992 Attorney, ExxonMobil: 1993-1995 Director of Legislative Affairs, Governor George W. Bush: 1995-2001 Counselor to the President: 2001-2003 Senior Vice President at ExxonMobil: 2003-2010 United States Senator from Texas, Class I: 2013- Spouse(s) & Family History: Parents: William (B. 1925, D. 2009) Edina (B. 1927, D. 2014) Siblings: William Jr. (B. 1946, D. 1969) Grace (B. 1951) Lawrence (B. 1954) Spouses: Beth Landon (B. 1950, Married 1973, divorced 1985) Deena Aniello (B. 1963, Married 1995) Children: Lane (B. 1978) Andy (B. 1981) Natalie (B. 1997) Biography: Thomas Shearden Donelson was born March 5th, 1949 to William and Edina, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Donelson family was a working class one; William had served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, returning to Louisiana (the family dating their roots in the state since 1872), struggling to find work for a time, before becoming a mechanic. Edina was a school teacher who had long valued education for Thomas and his siblings. The family would struggle to get by through Thomas' early years; the postwar boom did not find the Donelson family, and the family was forced to leave Louisiana as a result. One boom did resonate with the Donelson family: the Texas Oil Boom. While the initial boom of the 1900s ended in the 1940s, there were plenty of jobs to go around, and William would find work in East Texas, and the family would relocate to Wichita Falls. William himself would become something of a success story, becoming a regional manager and executive with the Southern Union Company, and a close advisor to Southern Union Company owner Clint Murchison, Sr. Dedicated to school and success, Donelson would attend Princeton University, earning a Bachelor of the Arts in Political Science, starting in the fall of 1967. Donelson's family was classic Southern Democrats, and no matter how unpopular LBJ was, William Donelson thought it would serve his second eldest son well to get involved in the world, especially as Democrats in Texas still had a strong (if weakening) grip (William Sr., though, thought of Thomas as a backup plan, hoping that William Jr., a Harvard man, much more people oriented and charismatic would pick up the mantle). William had made contacts with Governor John Connally, and Donelson would intern with the Governor in the Summer of 1968. Only 19, Donelson would be one of a handful of aides with Governor Connally at that year's Democratic Convention in Chicago, and one of a few present in the infamous private meeting where it has been said Connally cost himself a possible bid at the Democratic Vice Presidential Nomination for loudly and forcefully accusing then Vice President hubert Humphrey of disloyalty to President Johnson. Donelson would go on to say that his experience with Connally, who would later switch parties and ally himself with future President Richard Nixon, as a key reason why he too would switch parties in the 1970s. The first years of Donelson's Princeton experience were not the best; he was largely focused on the campus' social life and driving to New York most weekend's but his world was radically shocked in the spring of 1969, when his brother, William Jr., Private First Class in the Marines, was killed in the Battle of Hamburger Hill. William Jr., had always been a staunch advocate of facing communism and supporting U.S. influence abroad, even from a young age. Much to the chagrin and horror of his father, he would do what many in the upper class wouldn't have even dreamed of and decided to serve, his life being ended on a ridge in Central Vietnam. Thomas Donelson was now seen as the heir apparent to the Donelson name; his eldest brother's death had further endeared him to service, to action, and, in a way, to conservative ideals. He had believed communism was a total evil, and that aggressive action on the part of the U.S. was the only answer. After graduating from Princeton and attending law school at Cornell, Donelson would work a brief stint in 1972 as an intern in the campaign to re-elect Senator John Tower of Texas. Donelson would graduate near the top echelon of his class from both Princeton and Cornell, and in 1976, work as a Legislative Assistant for Republican Congressman from Texas James Collins, making a nice name for himself as a hard, smart worker in the fields of Energy, Defense and Foreign Policy. After Jimmy Carter was elected president, Donelson would move back to Texas, setting up shop in Houston and working with one of the oldest, largest law firms in Houston, Baker, Botts and Baker. By the fall of 1979, Donelson had reconnected with former Governor Connally, now running as a Republican in the 1980 primaries. Donelson would work as an attorney by day and now advisor to the Connaly campaign by night. The campaign was a disaster, agenda and message-less as it dumped cash and cash as the prospects into a dwindling campaign that only received a handful of delegates. What did help Donelson, though, was Connally's new found connection to the Texas Republican Party, which he too would plunge into. Donelson would reconnect with Tower, who would connect him to James Baker and the Texas Reagan-Bush campaign. Donelson had learned that his former boss, James Collins, would be running for Senate in 1982 against Lloyd Bentsen, and decided to plunge into the race to succeed him. The 3rd, a seat north of Dallas, was long becoming a Republican stronghold and it was clear that the race would be decided in the primary. The primary race would come down to the young, upstart Donelson and Steve Bartlett, a local businessman. The race turned ugly quickly, Bartlett painting Donelson a spoiled political elitist who thought the seat shift be given to him, not earned. In return, Donelson would throw bags of cash against Bartlett in an effort to kill his reputation. The race would shockingly be turned on its head when Tower, once a mentor to Donelson, would back Bartlett. Donelson was enraged (It has been said that Donelson had been a big supporter from the private sector against Tower's nomination as Secretary of Defense). Donelson would lose the primary. Donelson would now start work at ExxonMobil in Houston, starting a decades long relationship with the company. He would work at the company for 8 years, before taking a job with the Bush-Quayle '92 campaign as an Energy advisor, whose role and prominence had begun to rise as the campaign had gone on (especially as straits had gotten more dire). George H.W. Bush would obviously lose, but Donelson's dedication and hard work would have George W. Bush took notice of Donelson. In 1994, after Bush was elected Governor in that year's Republican Revolution, Donelson would, in a bit of an upset, be named Bush's Director of Legislative Affairs, a job given as Donelson had created a strong, expansive connections and relationships throughput the state through years of hard work and his tenure at Exxon. Donelson was considered one of the closest advisors to President Bush, and in the fall of 1999, as Bush was out of the state for long periods while campaigning for President, Donelson would be considered to have been "The Mirror Governor" by the Texas Monthly, in their November 1999 issue, writing "Donelson ... A man only really known to the state's Republican elite before 1994 has proven himself to be a loyal and effective operator of the Governor's, one who can be counted to completely act on the Governor's interest and do so in lockstep." Donelson was a key link and liaison between Bush and the Religious Right, and Matt Dowd would derogatorily refer to Donelson as the "Culture Warrior". When Bush would be elected President, Donelson would serve as a Counselor to the President. Donelson's tenure was rather short, event and drama filled. He would constantly clash with not only senior figures in the East Wing and the Cheney people, but also Karl Rove, who had thought him to be a possible threat. Once the September 11th Attacks occurred, it was evident to Donelson that the focus of the Bush White House had completely changed. After helping the White House coordinate efforts in the 2002 midterms, Donelson would step down from his role in January of 2003, transitioning to Senior Vice President at Exxon. Donelson's rise to prominence at Exxon would come in around 2007 and 2008, under his new C.E.O., Rex Tillerson. Donelson had carried over his effectiveness back to the private sector, where he gained the reputation as a no-nonsense (some might say cunning) deputy to Tillerson, and one whom was expected to succeed him. In a 2008 research piece, Greenpeace would label Donelson as "The Enforce of Exxon" for what they called callous de-regulatory pursuit, constant battles with environment forces, and coordinating an effective political and lobbying operation on behalf of Exxon. Soon, though, after the Great Recession, Donelson got tired with the private sector, and wanted to jump back into politics. It was clear Tillerson was going to stay C.E.O. in the long run, and he would likely be passed over as a successor. He possibly eyed challenging Governor Rick Perry for Governor in the Republican Primary, especially once Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison did so, but after reflection thought Hutchison's move was ill-fated, something he would be proven correct in. After Hutchinson lost, she soon would retire, and the race for Texas' Class I seat would interest Donelson. Donelson had long loved D.C. and the federal branch of Government. The chance to run for Senate would be an amazing one. Funny enough, Donelson would begin to align himself with the Tea Party wing of the party from early on, even as a wealthy executive who had little, if anything, in common with the base. But, give loads of money he did, and his son, Lane, an intern for Congressman Virgil Goode of Virginia, was rising through the political ranks himself, and more so on the Tea Party wing, connections that would help his father down in Texas. Donelson would begin to challenge earlier political ties, too. When on a panel on Fox News in September of 2009, Donelson would say that "The senior leadership of the past administration had really challenged its goals and success of the President early on" (thought to be a direct shot at Karl Rove, enraged; After these remarks, Rove would promise that whatever Donelson do politically, he would challenge), and in December 2010, when asked if Jeb Bush was a suitable candidate in 2012 that, "No, certainly not. Not for where the country is today." Donelson, from his home in Tanglewood, Houston, in February of 2011 would announce he'd run for the seat after Hutchison bowed out. For the entirety of 2011, Donelson would struggle to gain traction, not breaking 7% in a single poll. However, Donelson was loaded and well connected to several big money groups in Texas, groups that would help him bury the former state Solicitor General in the first round, Ted Cruz, and advance to a runoff with Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurt. In the runoff, Donelson would use a boatload of cash, aggressive criss-crossing of the state and Tea Party connections to defeat Dewhurst in what was considered an upset. Donelson would easily win the General Election over Democrat Paul Sadler. He was sworn in on January 3rd, 2013. There was some hope, initially, that Donelson would moderate his views once he got to the Senate. He had, after all, voted in favor of VAWA Ra-authorization, and would make minor headlines during an on the air interview with Conservative talk radio host Joe Pagliarulo, or "Joe Pags", referring to Paliarulo as a "fool" when Pagliarulo had attempted to say that supporting VAWA with new provisions over refugees and LGBTQ issues made him less of a conservative. "You're being foolish, a fool ... I am not supporting this legislation because I want to expand visas or codiy same sex marriage, I'm voting for it so we can get this thing apssed, continue to defend a vulnerable community, and amend this thing under a Republican Administration." Those hopes would be quickly dashed throughout 2013, as Donelson would hawk against the Bipartisan Budget Act and completely take to Fox News to blame Obama for the shutdown. Donelson would make somewhat of a name for himself as an avowed, complete and total critic of the Obama Administration. In December of 2014, after Republicans had retaken the Senate, Donelson would go onto say that the first criteria for supporting a Republican candidate in 2016 was "How much does this person understand and accept this President had damaged this country with most every maneuver he's made? The nominee [in 2016] must be someone who on day one completely cancels everything Obama did with either exeuctive order or strong legislative action." Donelson was a fierce critic and oppone to of the nuclear deal, accusing Secretary of State John Kerry of "Chamberlain-esque capitulation". Donelson resides in Tanglewood, Houston, Texas, with his second wife of over twenty years, Deena; Deena works as an advisor to Exxon C.E.O. Rex Tillerson, and the two had met when Donelson was visiting the Houston office as Bush's Legislative Director in 1995. He has three children; two with his first wife Beth, who Donelson filed for divorce from due to "irrevocable differences" in 1985, and one with Deena. Son Lane was a leader of the College Republicans at Texas A&M University, a leader in the Texas Tea Party movement, and now works as a lobbyist in Washington, son Andy owns a contracting service and daughter Natalie is attending Rice University. Donelson, despite somewhat of a spat following the end of George W. Bush's term with the family, still largely keeps in touch with the Bush family. According to 2015 tax forms and federal disclosure documents, Donelson is worth roughly $92.5 million dollars, making him one of the Senate's wealthier members, and reportedly received somewhere between $7.5 and 10 million dollars in his ExxonMobil exit package. Notable Votes: 13th Congress 2013-2015 Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization: Aye Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013: Nay 114th Congress 2015-2017 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015: Nay Points: Male: 0 Points 66-70: 5 Points Straight, divorced, with or without children: 15 Points White/Caucasian: 0 Points Evangelical or Mainline Protestant: 0 Points College Degree at Top University: 10 Points Master's Degree (JD): 20 Points Super-Rich (Top 1%): 5 Points Business Executive: 20 points State Political Staffer: 5 points Federal Political Staffer: 10 points Sub-Cabinet: 10 points per Presidential term

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