Dewhurst to seek re-election, to surprise of many (won't run for U.S. Senate)

The Houston Chronicle ^ | September 8, 2009 | R.G. Ratcliffe

[Clintonfatigued]

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said the governor has given no consideration to whom to appoint as interim senator if Hutchison resigns.

“There's no Senate seat open, and no decision has been made,” Miner said.

Republicans openly running for the Senate seat include former Secretary of State Roger Williams, state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Railroad Commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams.

Democrats in the race include Houston Mayor Bill White and former Comptroller John Sharp.

[Clintonfatigued]

This is a boost for Michael Williams, who is my first choice. Other Republicans who may seek the appointment include state AG Greg Abbot and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

[St. Louis Conservative]

Tom Leppert seems to be a lukewarm Republican, at best. Perry seems to be associated with the conservative grassroots more than the establishment - shall I say “Hutchison Republicans”. Michael Williams seems like a choice more likely to fire up the base and drive turnout for Perry in his primary.

[okie01]

Other Republicans who may seek the appointment include state AG Greg Abbot and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

Leppert is a McCain-style RINO who absolutely believes in the "global warming" myth.

[TXBlair]

Yes, I’d like to see Michael Williams get the appointment, as well. I got to chat with him once several years ago at a meet-and-greet and was quite impressed with him (loved his bow tie, too!). I’ve enjoyed marking my ballot for him since then. I’d hate to lose him as Railroad Commissioner, but what a tremendous achievement for him to be appointed to the Senate.

[AuH2ORepublican]

According to the article, all Dewhurst did was announce that he’s running for reelection as Lt. Gov., and his spokesman said that talk about the Senate vacancy is “just hypothetical.” Doesn’t sound like a Shermanesque statement to me.

The article engaged in speculation as to why Dewhurst may have sent the letter, and none of it involved a decision not to accept appointment to the Senate or run for the Senate seat:

“Dewhurst’s announcement immediately led to three items of speculation:

• Hutchison will not resign as stated, a notion considered unlikely by Republican political operatives.

• Attorney General Greg Abbott has been too aggressive in building a campaign to run for lieutenant governor if Dewhurst vacates the post. By announcing for re-election, Dewhurst keeps Abbott from announcing as a candidate for the race before the Senate vacancy occurs.

• Dewhurst wants to retire the $2.5 million campaign debt that he personally guaranteed for his political committee before he makes another personal investment in a Senate race. By announcing for re-election, it becomes easier to raise money for the office he already holds, and federal law may preclude him from raising money to eliminate the state debt once he becomes a senator or Senate candidate.”

The second and (especially) the third bullets sound quite plausible.

On another note, there was a link to an unrelated article at the site, regarding a Bryan state senator that announced that he’s not running for reelection, and the guy notes that he’s considering running against Congressman Chet Edwards. A top-tier challenger to Edwards could definitely topple him once and for all in 2010.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6612718.html

[BuckeyeTexan]

Thank you, Clintonfatigued.

Ping.

Freepmail me or ping me from the original thread to get on/off the 2010 Texas Governor's Race ping list.

[TWfromTEXAS]

Good news for Michael Williams, the best conservative in the race.

[TWfromTEXAS]

Perry seems to be associated with the conservative grassroots more than the establishment

ROFL, thanks I needed a good laugh! The Bush folks put him where he is and kept him there four years ago.

[TWfromTEXAS]

I think the Republican primary to run against Edwards will be very crowded.

[tpmintx]

Perry seems to be associated with the conservative
grassroots more than the establishment

ROFL, thanks I needed a good laugh! The Bush folks put him
where he is and kept him there four years ago.

Perry is a former dim. Perry has been an un-reconstructed
RINO for years. Perry saw the Tea Party train coming
down the track and jumped out in front, to make it look
like he's leading it. I am not sure whether or not to
trust him. It is entirely possible that he has had a
change of heart.

And monkeys might fly out of my arse.

That said: Kay is worse.

[St. Louis Conservative]

What’s wrong with him exactly? Other than the kerfuffle about vaccines in schools (which, let’s be honest, is a silly controversy compared to the things we’re facing in this country).

By all accounts, a serious conservative should be VERY happy with the way Perry has run the state.

[CPT Clay]

Thanks

[Impy]

I forgot there was a “GOP” mayor in Dallas. He probably only won because his rat runoff opponent was a nancy.

He’s a pro-porkulus RINO.

http://www.tomleppert.com/index.php?id=173

[Impy]

It’s already chock full of 3rd tier candidates. Ogden would be a first tier candidate.