Bill Messer
Texas Monthly magazine named Bill Messer as one of four lobbyists included in the top twenty-five most influential people in Texas politics for 2005. Capitol Inside listed Mr. Messer as the No. 1 “hired gun” lobbyist in 2004 and in 2005 along with Mike Toomey. Mr. Messer served as a Democratic state representative from 1979 to 1986 and as chairman of the House Calendars Committee and the Texas Legislative Council Finance Committee. He was listed by Texas Monthly magazine as one of the “Ten Best Legislators” four times throughout his tenure at the Capitol. Mr. Messer chaired the transition team for state Rep. Tom Craddick when he became the first Republican Speaker of the House since the 1880’s. Mr. Messer earned his B.S. degree from Southwest Texas State University (1972) and J.D. degree from the University of Texas (1975). “Messer passed three of the most successful lobbyists in the past generation in his ascension to the number one ranking in our first category – the top 20 hired gun lobbyists going into 2004.” Mike Hailey, Capitol Inside, January 23, 2004.