Zoe Halfmann, Laura Alexander join the bipartisan government affairs firm
OCTOBER 23, 2025 (WASHINGTON, DC) – Cornerstone Government Affairs, a bipartisan, employee-owned government affairs firm, today announces the expansion of its long-standing Texas offices with the addition of two new Principals, Zoe Halfmann and Laura Alexander. With these additions, Cornerstone’s Texas team has grown to boast 15 experts who represent dozens of for profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Cornerstone first established its presence in Texas by forming a Houston location in 2011, then adding offices in Austin in 2013 and Dallas in 2024. The firm has offices in 14 other states and Washington, DC.
Halfmann, who joined the firm on September 1st, is based in Dallas and brings years of experience in local government having previously served as Chief of Staff to Dallas City Councilmember Paul Blackmon. In this role, she advised on key policy initiatives, interfaced with executive staff and informed communications strategy. She previously served as Vice President of Public Policy at the Dallas Regional Chamber, where she managed local government relations and led the organization’s work in critical areas including infrastructure, healthcare and water policy.
Halfmann helped lead the formation of the Good for Texans PAC, provided on-the-ground support during the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature and revitalized the organization’s Infrastructure Task Force to advance regional priorities. She also organized high-profile events including coordinating state and federal fly-ins, hosting the Texas Governor and the Speaker of the House and planning roundtables with local and national stakeholders.
She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas, where she was a Hatton Sumners Scholar, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas.
“I’m eager to deliver impactful results as we grow Cornerstone’s Texas presence, partnering with clients as a team to advance their goals in the rapidly expanding Dallas market,” Halfmann said.
Texas has the second largest state economy in the United States and is home to 54 Fortune 500 companies as well as 3.5 million startups and small businesses, driving the demand for government affairs experts to aid organizations looking to navigate increasingly complex state and local politics.
Alexander, who joined the firm on October 15th, is based in Houston and brings extensive advocacy experience following her role as Vice President of Public Policy at the Greater Houston Partnership. In this role, she led advocacy on water infrastructure, workforce development and public school funding; managed member fly-ins and delivered key outcomes during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, including local appropriations for the City of Houston, extension of research and development franchise tax credits and a constitutional dedication of funds for water projects.
Alexander previously practiced public finance law, holding roles with a number of firms in Louisiana focusing on environment, energy, tourism, housing and elections. She also served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Institute for Children in Families, where she advanced foster care and adoption reforms and launched the Louisiana Foster Youth Intern Program to prepare former foster youth to testify before the Legislature.
She holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where she was a William L. Crowe Sr. Scholar, and a BA in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.
“I am incredibly excited to join Cornerstone, a firm I’ve long admired for consistently delivering meaningful results across all levels of government,” Alexander said. “It’s an honor to be part of such a hardworking, collaborative team.”
“Cornerstone is thrilled to further expand our Texas presence with the addition of Zoe and Laura,” Campbell Kaufman, Cornerstone’s President, said. “They bring invaluable knowledge of the state’s legislative process and access to an extensive network of leaders in both government and key industries, which will directly benefit Cornerstone’s growing client base.”
In recent years, Texas has played a key role in shaping national political conversations as both parties look to leverage the state’s shifting demographics and explore new policy positions. With both a state and federal presence, Cornerstone’s experts are uniquely positioned to help clients in Texas achieve their policy goals.
To learn more about Cornerstone’s Texas office, please visit: https://cgagroup.com/offices/texas-government-affairs/
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc. is a bipartisan, employee-owned public affairs firm with more than 200 professionals in offices across the country. Through its federal and state government relations; strategic communications; political action committees; grant consulting and advisory services, Cornerstone represents a diverse group of clients from myriad industries and sectors and maintains expertise in a wide range of issue areas, including agriculture, cyber security, defense, education, energy, health, homeland security, international affairs, tax policy, telecommunications, and transportation and infrastructure. For more information, please visit Cornerstone’s website at www.cgagroup.com.
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Abby Darwin
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