 LeMieux left the firm of Gunster Yoakley to take the position upon Crist's assumption of the office on January 7, 2003.LeMieux also served as chief of staff for Crist's 2006 campaign for governor which defeated rival Tom Gallagher by 32 points to win the GOP nomination.As campaign chief of staff, LeMieux shaped Crist's message and made key strategic moves, such as demanding lecterns for the second TV debate with Democratic opponent Jim Davis instead of a conference table, and also for deciding that Crist would not accompany President Bush on the day before the election.