David Hensley
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| David Hensley | |
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| Basic facts | |
| Role: | Chief of staff |
| Location: | Boise, Idaho |
| Affiliation: | Republican |
| Education: | •College of Idaho •University of Idaho College of Law |
| Prior Experience | |
| Chief of staff, Butch Otter gubernatorial administration, 2011-2018 | |
David Hensley is a Republican political advisor and lawyer in the state of Idaho. He is the former chief of staff for Gov. Butch Otter from 2011 to 2018. He began as Otter's chief of staff in 2011 after former chief of staff Jason Kreizenbeck left to start a lobbying group.[1] Hensley had previously been Otter's legal advisor, a role he also filled under former Govs. James Risch (R) and Dirk Kempthorne (R).[2]
Career
Hensley received his bachelor's degree in history and business administration from the College of Idaho in 1998 and his law degree from the University of Idaho's School of Law in 2002. He began working in politics as the legal advisor and counsel for former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and continued in that role with former Gov. James Risch. When Otter took office in 2007, Hensley served as his legal counsel. He was promoted to chief of staff in 2011.[3]
In 2015, the Idaho State Journal listed Hensley as one of the 50 most influential people in the state.[4]
Veto process lawsuit, 2017
Hensley represented Otter in a lawsuit over the procedures surrounding the veto process in the state in 2017. According to Governing, the case concerned how long the governor had to veto or sign a bill after presented the bill when a legislative session had ended. Hensley argued that the Idaho Constitution required the legislature to send the bill during the session, and the Idaho Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hensley and Gov. Otter. The ruling reversed a 39-year precedent in the state that gave the governor 10 days to veto a bill if the legislature was not in session.[5]
Chief of staff
- See also: Gubernatorial chiefs of staff
In 2017, Ballotpedia identified David Hensley as a gubernatorial chief of staff. A chief of staff is the lead staff member of an administration and is responsible for implementing the governor's agenda.
The role is both a managerial and advisory position, although specific duties vary by administration. The chief of staff typically has the following responsibilities, according to the National Governors Association (NGA):[6]
- Control access to the governor and manage the governor's calendar;
- Monitor the flow of information to the governor on policy issues;
- Oversee gubernatorial Cabinet and staff; and
- Manage and communicate the governor's policy agenda to the state legislature and the public.
In terms of policymaking, the NGA notes that a chief of staff is responsible for bringing policy and communications together: "The chief is responsible for overseeing the development of the governor’s policy agenda. The policy director or advisor is typically responsible for shaping the general concepts and specific details of the agenda with input from the communications director, policy staff and cabinet members. The chief often must take charge and bring the pieces together coherently."[6]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "Gov. Otter’s chief of staff leaves to take new lobbying gig," October 18, 2011
- ↑ The Argus Observer, "Otter earns less than his chief of staff," January 18, 2007
- ↑ Institute of Internal Auditors Boise Chapter, "December-2016---Luncheon," accessed August 14, 2017
- ↑ Idaho State Journal, "Idaho's top 100 most influential people," January 11, 2015
- ↑ Governing, "In Statehouse Power Struggle, Idaho's Governor Wins in Court," July 19, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 National Governors Association, "The Many Roles of the Governor’s Chief of Staff," accessed April 20, 2021
