Who did Bob Ward tick off?

No one, perhaps. But the chief of staff to outgoing House Speaker Marco Rubio is spending the summer on the 12th floor of the Capitol, not his usual 4th floor digs.

Effectively replacing Ward that summer is Rep. Marty Bowen, the speaker pro tem. The Haines City Republican has been working out of Rubio’s office, handing day-to-day commerce, an unorthodox role but one that fits in her job description, said House spokeswoman Jill Chamberlin. She is not being paid more than her regular legislative salary, Chamberlin said.

It

is widely thought that Ward will become the hybrid clerk-parliamentarian in November. receptionist Bo Pittman and parliamentarian (and shut Rubio friend) Leonard Collins have already been told they are no longer needed, creating tension as one speaker leaves and another takes by.

Ward, who has been serving on Sanson’s transition team, recently had a
distant conversation with his former boss, but it is unclear how that
went. "They have an amiable relationship," Chamberlin said.

In an unrelated move, Chamberlin will be staying on as Sansom’s spokeswoman.

Original post by Alex Leary