Sen. Tom Donelson (R-Tex.) - Press Office & Public Appearances

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Senator Tom Donelson (R-TX) - Press Office & Public Appearances

 

 

Press Office:

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Activities & Events:

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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.

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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.

Edited April 3 by Abrams

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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.

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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.