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Michael Steel Trades Boehnerland for Bushworld

Steel, right, pictured here in 2013 wrangling reporters after a Republican news conference, will work for a political action committee supporting Jeb Bush. (CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Steel, right, pictured here in 2013 wrangling reporters after a Republican news conference, will work for a political action committee supporting Jeb Bush. (CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Michael Steel, one of John A. Boehner’s top aides, is leaving the speaker’s office for a job in Miami as an adviser to a Jeb Bush political action committee.  

The speaker, in an emailed statement, called his longtime spokesman a “pro’s pro.” “Ask anyone in the Capitol — Republican, Democrat, or otherwise — about Michael Steel, and they will tell you the same thing: he is a pro’s pro,” the Ohio Republican wrote. “For more than seven years, I have relied on his ability to dissect an issue, win a debate, and deal openly and honestly with the press. He brings nothing but class, decency — and even cheer — to his work no matter how tough the situation. We would not be where we are today without him. All of Boehnerland is sorry to see him go, but we wish Michael the best of luck and we thank him for his service.”  

In addition to working for Boehner, Steel also served as traveling press secretary for Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, while the lawmaker was the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee.  

Prior to his work in politics, he was a reporter for National Journal, which sometimes provided an interesting relationship with some of his former colleagues.  

Politico, which broke the story , reported Steel will work as an adviser to Bush’s Right to Rise Policy Solutions PAC. The former Florida governor is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination this summer.  

Steel was having fun with the news Monday afternoon on Twitter:  

https://twitter.com/michael_steel/status/597798241623760897  

Related:

Boehner Aide Brendan Buck Will Be Top Spokesman for Health Insurance Industry (Updated)


Paul Ryan Woos Ex-Boehner Aide Back to Capitol Hill


The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress


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