Second in an occasional series
For this installment of Impact Players, I didn't have to randomly choose an interview subject because from here on out, the subjects will be nominated by the previous Impact Player. Luis Saenz, Governor Rick Perry's 2006 Campaign Director-turned-contract lobbyist, was nominated by Jay Propes. Just like Propes, Saenz doesn't like being in front of the camera. But in our interview, he talks about why he opts to work FOR politicians instead of BE one.
Some interesting similarities between the first and second IP interviews -- both subjects apologized for "not being funnier" and for being overly tired, they both made a point about how lobbying is not as easy or glamorous as it may seem, and they both said they'd like to spend more time with their kids. Most of the interview is below, some additional stuff is after the jump.
Saenz started working in Texas politics in 1999, after several years in DC.
 Luis Saenz |
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Luis Saenz and I am a lobbyist. I represent various interests in front of the legislature, promoting great things all over the state.
Clients?
Time Warner Cable, Philip Morris Tobacco, United Healthcare and a few other clients I have across the state, in Corpus Christi and in the Valley.
You're lobbying now, but you've worked many years in government.
I worked for Phil Gramm, former comptroller Carole Rylander, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Henry Bonilla. Couldn't keep a job.
How does your life now compare to life on the campaign?
It's just as busy, just as hectic. Still takes a lot of personal time away when you're committed to what you're doing. It's Saturdays, Sundays, late nights, early mornings, getting up in the middle of the night to see what you guys - the press says - at midnight. It's not that different.
Biggest difference between working for a politician versus working for business clients?
With the politician - there's generally division among the parties immediately. Almost every time. With lobbying, the issues sometimes don't have a partisan appeal to them, so I may be working on something is supported by a conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat, and that's the big difference. You go up to the capitol and you're looking at support from everyone and you find support from some people that you wouldn't expect. Whereas with politics, Republicans are usually looking for Republican votes, Democrats are looking for Democrat votes, that line is drawn almost immediately.
You've worked for so many politicians. Why not be actually be one and run for your office yourself?
I have considered it. But it's just so hard what they do. Just seeing the time and the toll that it takes, and these days with so many different forms of media, you almost always have to be on. You can't relax. Cell phone cameras, cell phone videos, you can't have that light moment anymore without it being broadcast around the country with people trying to ridicule you. It's just so hard. I don't think people respect elected officials like they used to.
Behind the scenes, you can relax, tell jokes that being an elected official you probably couldn't tell if someone was recording you somewhere.
Do you relax now that you're in the private sector?
No. It's the same. There's always something going on. It's not as intense as the campaign but you're following multiple committees, multiple agencies, multiple elected officials, what they're saying and doing. It's a different level of stress I guess. There's stress, but there's not as stressful as making sure that your candidate is going to WIN.
Do you have any regrets about the 2006 campaign?
No, it was great. Governor Perry is such a great person, just down to earth people. It was a difficult year for Republicans, it was a five-way race, and still, we call him governor today. It was challenging trying to figure out where people were going to line up with a Libertarian, an independent, a Democrat, another independent. But everything went great, I wouldn't change a thing.
Now he's running again, against another one of your former bosses. Handicap 2010's GOP primary for us.
I think it's going to be a very difficult primary, difficult for a lot of people. Difficult for the Republican party. Both served, have served well, served for many years. And this is going to make it difficult for a lot of people.
They're both hard workers. I didn't work for Hutchison as long as I worked for Perry, but Perry, I don't know if anybody will ever outwork him or out-campaign him. He's always working, always thinking, there's always an email coming around, always a new idea, an article he's shooting around, checking on things. He's always going. It's going to be hard.
Who are you backing?
[Silence. Later explains he's staying out of it publicly.]
Jay said to interview you because you were funnier than him.
I can be funny, but I can also be too serious at times. I'm serious right now because I'm tired. Just ready to go fall asleep. I can be a real smartass. As you know. And I know you can be too. Yes. I know you can.
Who else would you like to see sit down for our next Q&A? No politicians, cause they get interviewed all the time.
Susan Longley, she and I lobby for Phillip Morris together. She's great. Wonderful. Mark Rodriguez, he's a dear friend, very helpful. Jerry Philips. He and Kurt [Meachum] are going to do very well.
OK Susan, Jerry or Mark. I'll be trying to track you down soon. Thanks again to Luis Saenz for taking time to chat.
How much do you work everyday?
At least twelve hours a day, at least, during session.
What do you do to decompress?
My kids - there's not a care in their world other than school, and it's so relaxing.
Are you doing anything else lately? Taking yoga or anything?
i need to. I had back surgery before Christmas, my nerves, they kill me. I'll be sitting in meetings and the nerve just starts to burn. If I had more time, I'd do some bike riding, maybe. Haven't ridden bikes with the kids for awhile. I haven't golfed in six months. Like to get out of town more.
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