Though she’s only 29, former Cleburne resident Elizabeth Alexander has led quite a busy, and accomplished, life.
“Everything she’s done has just been pretty amazing to us,” said Betsy Alexander, Alexander’s mother, who resides in Cleburne with Alexander’s father, Dr. Jim Alexander. Alexander’s sister, Lauren Alexander Lawhon and her husband, Matt Lawhon, live in Allen.
Alexander graduated from Cleburne High School in 1997 and apparently hasn’t stopped to take a breath since.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden appointed Alexander to be his press secretary Wednesday.
Alexander began working for then Sen. Biden in 2006, first as his press secretary and later as communications director for his Senate office. Alexander simultaneously functioned as communications director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Biden chaired.
By that time, Alexander had already gained quite a bit of political experience, having traveled the country and served as press secretary for DNC Chairman Terry McAullife during the 2004 election.
Before that she served as U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt’s South Carolina press secretary, communications director for U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-CA, and deputy press secretary for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY.
Alexander helped set the press office up in Florida during the disputed 2000 presidential election, her mother said.
“Of course, that lasted a lot longer than anyone thought it would at the time,” Betsy Alexander said. “And she was only 20 at the time.”
Alexander also served a year as press secretary for the United Nations Foundation, set up by Ted Turner. There she created media campaigns highlighting UN causes around the world.
Somewhere in between all that Alexander found time to go to school. Participation in the Youth in Government program while at CHS — she was also in CHS’s Golden Pride Band and the color guard — led to an interest in politics, which led to a degree in political science from Texas A&M; University.
“I’ve always been interested in government,” said Elizabeth Alexander. “And certainly my participation in Youth in Government in high school and [former CHS teacher] Johnnie Hyde increased my interest.”
Alexander graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M;, and she’s about to complete work on her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
“She has to help Biden prepare for the Sunday news TV programs,” Betsy Alexander said Wednesday. “And she has a law school final Saturday.”
Earlier in the week, Alexander took finals in three of her other law school classes.
“Biden has been absolutely wonderful to work with,” Alexander said. “I wouldn’t have been able to go to law school and work for him if it wasn’t for his support.”
Betsy Alexander said she’s not sure what her daughter does when she’s not working or studying.
“I don’t really know,” Betsy Alexander said. “I don’t think she has much time for free time.”
Elizabeth Alexander said she and a collegue recently joked about that very topic.
“Work takes up a lot of time, but D.C. is a really fun city” Alexander said. “When I have time I like to go out with friends and enjoy the city.”
The only drawback, she said, is that she doesn’t have the opportunity to return home very often.
“Not as often as I’d like,” Alexander said. “I usually get home maybe twice a year. But I always look forward to coming back to Cleburne and visiting old friends.”
Alexander said she hasn’t considered her plans yet — whether she’ll practice law or enter politics someday.
“Right now I’m just focusing on the years coming up and working with the vice president,” Alexander said.
Cleburne
CHS grad named Biden’s press secretary
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
Johnson County Tax Assessor Scott Porter said that Tuesday is the deadline to pay 2011 property taxes without penalties or interest.
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Lady Jackets setting the bar high in powerlifting
Last week at the Venus powerlifting meet, the Cleburne Lady Jackets sent several lifters to the competition.
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Cleburne ready for district swim meet
Both Cleburne swim teams are headed to the Mansfield ISD Natatorium on Saturday for the District 15-4A swim meet.
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Number of sex offenders increases
Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders.
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Council approves trash truck purchases
City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night.
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