Texans who could serve in Trump's administration
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Texas politicians could play a big role in the future of our country now that Donald Trump has been elected the 45th President of the United States.
The president-elect has many local allies. So who would potentially join his administration from our state?
The Texas Tribune shared eight Texas Republicans who could work with Trump.
1. Rick Perry - The former governor of Texas was a candidate in the 2016 campaign and criticized Trump. However, he changed his tune when Trump clinched the nomination, endorsing him. He could potentially work with veterans, a longtime passion for the politician.
2. Sid Miller - The Texas agriculture commissioner is a longtime Trump backer in the general election. In the final days of Trump's campaign, the Texas Tribune notes Miller became the nominee's go-to guy in arguing the polls were wrong, but the agriculture commissioner also sparked a firestorm of controversy when a tweet appeared on his Twitter account calling Clinton the c-word. Prior to that incident, which Miller blamed on a staffer, he was best known to Trump as an adviser on agriculture issues. He would likely serve in that capacity in the Trump administration.
3. Don Willett - Trump named the Supreme Court of Texas judge on a list of people he would appoint to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the time, Willett offered no indication of whether he was willing to serve, saying he respected all the judges on the list and that it spoke to the value of state judiciary.
4. Dan Patrick - The lieutenant governor of Texas was a top supporter of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, but when Cruz dropped out, Patrick turned his support to Trump. The Texas Tribune notes Patrick went on to serve as Trump's Texas chairman, becoming the nominee's biggest booster among state's GOP elected officials. Patrick has ruled out the possibility for a role in the Trump administration, saying he has "zero interest" in serving in the White House. If any job was offered, Patrick added, he would "respectfully decline."
5. Katrina Pierson - The Tea Party activist from Garland volunteered for Cruz's underdog bid for the Senate in 2012. On Nov. 9, 2015, the Trump campaign named Pierson its national spokeswoman. Pierson turned into Trump's longest-running surrogate on television, known for her seemingly nonstop scuffles with cable news hosts over the latest controversy engulfing her boss. Pierson could join the Trump administration in the press office. She has not commented on whether she is interested in the role.
6. Andy Beal - Beal is the founder and chairman of Dallas-based Beal Bank. He has been called the richest man in Dallas. Beal was an early participant in Trump's fundraising efforts in Texas and went on to form his own super PAC to boost the nominee. In August, Trump named Beal to his Economic Advisory Council, and could play a role in a signature issue of Trump's campaign: trade.
7. Michael McCaul - The congressman from Austin chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. McCaul advised Trump on foreign policy and national security issues throughout the general election, sometimes making clear his disagreements with the nominee - particularly when it came to Trump's friendly attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. McCaul also spoke at the Republican National Convention. McCaul could be called into service as a potential Homeland Secretary or attorney general, according to the Texas Tribune. His remarks to the National Journal indicate he desires to serve in a Trump administration.
8. Jeb Hensarling - The congressman from Dallas chairs the House Financial Services Committee. Hensarling is a close friend of Trump's running mate, Mike Pence. The Texas Tribune remarks that the friendship with Pence may give Hensarling a range of options when the transition team comes calling. Hensarling has not said what he wants to do, but the Texas Tribune says he is poised to become a trusted conduit between the Trump White House and the rest of the House GOP conference.
