Gov. Rick Perry has named one of a his favorite Texas Democrats as his new legislative director. State Sen. Ken Armbrister, a Victoria Democrat who spent much of his career bashing Austin’s water-quality rules, is retiring from office at the end of this term and joining Perry’s staff in January. Armbrister’s new job will have him shilling for Perry at the Lege. Perry figures that Armbrister’s Democratic ties, however threadbare, will help the governor win bipartisan favor on critical issues. But considering the number of times Armbrister has bailed on his Democratic colleagues, you have to wonder if he has anything left to collect from the old chit jar.

This article appears in December 15 • 2006.

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Amy Smith has been writing about Austin policy and politics for over 20 years. She joined The Austin Chronicle in 1996.