Lou Ann Linehan, who has been Sen. Chuck Hagel’s top aide and advisor throughout his political career, is stepping down as his chief of staff.

It’s time to take a breather, Linehan said Friday, acknowledging some burnout after more than 13 intense years in the trenches.

Mike Buttry, another trusted Hagel aide, moves from communications director to chief of staff during the senator’s final year in office. 

“I do not know what I will do next,” Linehan said, “but it will be extremely difficult to find anything more rewarding. 

“Aside from my family,” she said, “the work I have done for Senator Hagel is my greatest source of pride.”

Linehan joined Hagel in 1995 as his Senate campaign manager, building and directing the political  vehicle that helped propel him to a 1996 upset victory over then-Gov. Ben Nelson.

After the election, Linehan was named Hagel’s chief of staff.  She has been his closest aide ever since, except for a year and a half when she was former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s deputy assistant secretary for legislative affairs.

Linehan also served Hagel in a political role, traveled with him on presidential exploratory trips and was a high-intensity force in Nebraska Republican politics. 

Hagel said Linehan has been “indispensable” to him.

“She has been a consistent voice of wise counsel to me,” he said, and a political confidant. 

“Lou Ann will always be a trusted friend and advisor,” Hagel said.  “I would not make any major decisions on anything in the future without her advice.”

Last September, Hagel decided not to enter the 2008 GOP presidential race and announced he’ll leave the Senate after completing his second term at the end of this year.

Linehan’s decompression began with a Christmas holiday reading binge that took her through books like “The Kite Runner,” “The Alchemist,” “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” and “First in His Class,” a biography of Bill Clinton.

Now, she’s going to take some time for more reading, springtime gardening and perhaps some university classes, Linehan said in a telephone interview from Washington.

“I wouldn’t mind going back to school,” she said.  Perhaps to study English literature and the arts, “which teaches you about human nature.”

Linehan said she can envision working in the federal government again some day, “but I find it difficult to believe I would go run a campaign again.”

However, she said, “I’d do anything for Hagel if he called.”

Working for Hagel and his agenda “always has been a cause,” Linehan said.  “I hope I find another cause.”

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.