Changes

​Like his predecessor Combs, Keel was considered a [[Moderate Republican]] by Texas standards. "Over the years, he's clearly emerged as a member who's trusted on both sides of the aisle," said Rep. Ellitott Naishtat, an Austin Democrat and senior member of the Travis County delegation."<ref>Dave Harmon (March 2, 2003), "Moving Into the Majority,"  ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. H5.</ref>[[Conservative]] activist [[Phyllis Schlafly]]'s [[Eagle Forum]], for instance, rated him only  54 percent favorable in 2005. The Young Conservatives of Texas, however, in that same year scored Keel at 70 percent. Earlier, in his career he had been more conservative in his voting record. The [[Christian Coalition]], founded by the Reverend [[Pat Robertson]] of [[Virginia]], scored him 92 percent in 1999.​

​Like his predecessor Combs, Keel was considered a [[Moderate Republican]] by Texas standards. "Over the years, he's clearly emerged as a member who's trusted on both sides of the aisle," said Rep. Ellitott Naishtat, an Austin Democrat and senior member of the Travis County delegation."<ref>Dave Harmon (March 2, 2003), "Moving Into the Majority,"  ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. H5.</ref>[[Conservative]] activist [[Phyllis Schlafly]]'s [[Eagle Forum]], for instance, rated him only  54 percent favorable in 2005. The Young Conservatives of Texas, however, in that same year scored Keel at 70 percent. Earlier, in his career he had been more conservative in his voting record. The [[Christian Coalition]], founded by the Reverend [[Pat Robertson]] of [[Virginia]], scored him 92 percent in 1999.​

==Defeat for appellate judge, 2006===​

==Defeat for appellate judge, 2006==​

In the spring of 2006, Keel ran unsuccessfully in the statewide Republican primary for [[Judge]] of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8. In Texas as well as [[Oklahoma]], the state's highest criminal and civil appeals courts are entirely separate bodies. He went into a runoff with the incumbent Charles Holcomb, who prevailed with 89,376 votes (53.62 percent) to Keel's 77,291(46.37 percent).<ref>http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe</ref> As customary in Texas, this was an extremely low-turnout party runoff.​

In the spring of 2006, Keel ran unsuccessfully in the statewide Republican primary for [[Judge]] of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8. In Texas as well as [[Oklahoma]], the state's highest criminal and civil appeals courts are entirely separate bodies. He went into a runoff with the incumbent Charles Holcomb, who prevailed with 89,376 votes (53.62 percent) to Keel's 77,291(46.37 percent).<ref>http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe</ref> As customary in Texas, this was an extremely low-turnout party runoff.​

​Keel's former House seat went Democratic in 2006, with the victory of Valinda Bolton over Republican Bill Welch, 50.24 to 45.53 percent, respectively.​

​Keel's former House seat went Democratic in 2006, with the victory of Valinda Bolton over Republican Bill Welch, 50.24 to 45.53 percent, respectively.​

==As House parliamentarian==​

==As House parliamentarian==

Speaker Craddick chose Keel as an interim parliamentarian on May 25, 2007, when Denise Davis and her deputy, Chris Griesel, resigned because Craddick deflected questions from insurgent House members who sought to remove him as Speaker.<ref>Laylan Copelin (May 26, 2007), "Mutiny in Texas House," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. A1.</ref> Craddick refused to allow House members to make a motion to "vacate the chair" on the theory that he has the power to quash such a request. He also declined to allow an appeal of his decision.​

Speaker Craddick chose Keel as an interim parliamentarian on May 25, 2007, when Denise Davis and her deputy, Chris Griesel, resigned because Craddick deflected questions from insurgent House members who sought to remove him as Speaker.<ref>Laylan Copelin (May 26, 2007), "Mutiny in Texas House," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. A1.</ref> Craddick refused to allow House members to make a motion to "vacate the chair" on the theory that he has the power to quash such a request. He also declined to allow an appeal of his decision.​

​Craddick said that he chose Keel because of the former lawmaker's decade of legislative experience, his legal expertise, and his knowledge of House rules.<ref>Gardner Selby (June 30, 2007), "Keel to return to Capitol as House parliamentarian,'' ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. E1.</ref> The parliamentarian is charged with guiding the Speaker through the daily activities during House floor sessions. He also advises him on House rules and key provisions in the existing Texas Constitution of 1876.​

​Craddick said that he chose Keel because of the former lawmaker's decade of legislative experience, his legal expertise, and his knowledge of House rules.<ref>Gardner Selby (June 30, 2007), "Keel to return to Capitol as House parliamentarian,'' ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. E1.</ref> The parliamentarian is charged with guiding the Speaker through the daily activities during House floor sessions. He also advises him on House rules and key provisions in the existing Texas Constitution of 1876.​

==Sheriff Keel==​

==Sheriff Keel==

In his four-year term as Travis County sheriff, Keel supervised a staff of some 1,200 corrections and law enforcement personnel. He managed inmate populations exceeding 2,500 during a time of severe jail overcrowding.<ref>Rhonda Smith (October 25, 1993),. "Courts, jails seek breathing room," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. B1.</ref> He authorized a program to house jail prisoners in [[tent]]s.<ref>Alexandra M. Biesada (August 7, 1993), "Jail inmates pitch tent," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. B1.</ref> He ordered the construction of corrections facilities using inmate labor, and he expanded [[agriculture]], labor, and [[education]] programs.<ref> "Sheriff Keel has made strides against crime during first year,"  ''Lake Travis View,'' November 25 1993). p. 5.</ref> He established a professional victim services program.<ref>Jim Phillips (October 24, 1994), "For victims, violence unit aims to be a sanctuary," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. A1.</ref> He also launched joint law-enforcement operations between the Travis County Sheriff's Department and Austin Municipal Police.<ref>Jim Phillips and Chuck Lindell (December 3, 1993), "Officers put dent in drug market - Largest drug sweep in Travis County nets 109 suspects," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. A1.</ref>​

In his four-year term as Travis County sheriff, Keel supervised a staff of some 1,200 corrections and law enforcement personnel. He managed inmate populations exceeding 2,500 during a time of severe jail overcrowding.<ref>Rhonda Smith (October 25, 1993),. "Courts, jails seek breathing room," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. B1.</ref> He authorized a program to house jail prisoners in [[tent]]s.<ref>Alexandra M. Biesada (August 7, 1993), "Jail inmates pitch tent," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. B1.</ref> He ordered the construction of corrections facilities using inmate labor, and he expanded [[agriculture]], labor, and [[education]] programs.<ref> "Sheriff Keel has made strides against crime during first year,"  ''Lake Travis View,'' November 25 1993). p. 5.</ref> He established a professional victim services program.<ref>Jim Phillips (October 24, 1994), "For victims, violence unit aims to be a sanctuary," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. A1.</ref> He also launched joint law-enforcement operations between the Travis County Sheriff's Department and Austin Municipal Police.<ref>Jim Phillips and Chuck Lindell (December 3, 1993), "Officers put dent in drug market - Largest drug sweep in Travis County nets 109 suspects," ''Austin American-Statesman,'' p. A1.</ref>​