Speaker Dade Phelan Names Next Chief of Staff

Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan today named Mike Toomey as Chief of Staff, effective August 26, 2024. Today's announcement follows the departure of Speaker Phelan's current chief of staff, Enrique Marquez, effective August 23, 2024.

"Today I am thrilled to welcome Mike Toomey as the next Chief of Staff in the Office of the Speaker-his leadership will greatly benefit the state, my office and the entire Texas House," said Speaker Phelan. "Mike is a storied titan of Texas politics, and his impressive experience in the public and private sectors-combined with a legendary work ethic and reputation as a seasoned strategist-make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our team. As we welcome Mike to our office, I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Enrique Marquez for his outstanding service and dedication the last several years. Enrique's leadership was instrumental in guiding our office through some of the most significant legislative sessions in recent memory, and his commitment to our shared mission resulted in numerous, historic victories that have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless Texans. I wish him all the best."

Mike Toomey brings over four decades of experience in Texas politics and state government. First elected in 1982, he represented Houston's District 135 in the Texas House of Representatives for three terms, including a term as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Toomey is uniquely distinguished as the only individual to have served as chief of staff to two Texas governors-Gov. Bill Clements and Gov. Rick Perry-and later joined Gov. Greg Abbott's administration as a senior advisor in 2020. Since 2002, he has offered strategic government relations, grassroots mobilization, and communications counsel to a wide range of corporations, organizations and advocacy campaigns. Toomey is a graduate of Baylor University and South Texas College of Law. He and his wife, Stacy, are active philanthropists and reside together in Austin, Texas.