Free Republic

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas' only officially declared 2014 gubernatorial candidate says he needs $2-plus million to viably compete in the GOP primary. Former state Republican Party chairman Tom Pauken told reporters Tuesday that he has raised "several hundred thousand dollars" to start. He's still considered a longshot. Gov. Rick Perry has announced he's not running, clearing the way for longtime Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to cruise to victory in the Republican primary in March. Abbott has $18-plus million in campaign funds, but hasn't yet declared his candidacy. Pauken said Abbott wasn't a true conservative and that the governorship...

Now that Rick Perry has taken himself out of the 2014 gubernatorial race, Texas on the Potomac is looking at the two early contenders for the Republican nomination for governor, Attorney General Greg Abbott and former Texas GOP chairman Tom Pauken. This profile of Pauken was written by Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune Tom Pauken has chosen a hard road. He’s a Republican running for governor in a race that could feature either the longest-serving governor in state history, one of the best-financed potential replacements in history, or both. He says that Gov. Rick Perry and Greg Abbott, the...