Wendy Davis's Decision In Texas Race Could Echo Beyond Governor's Mansion

[Purveyor]

By Alexandra Jaffe - 07/20/13 08:08 AM ET

Texas Sen. Wendy Davis’s (D) decision on whether to jump into the state’s gubernatorial race has implications for more than just control of the governor’s mansion.

She rose to national prominence this month following an 11-hour filibuster of a restrictive abortion bill that, though it failed, sparked speculation that she could be the party’s best shot at the gubernatorial race. And her national popularity brought her $1 million in donations over two weeks in June, largely from grassroots supporters excited by her tactic.

Her decision on whether to run could be both a catalyst for, and a progress check on, a growing Democratic movement to turn the longtime red state purple.

Key Democratic players in the movement say if Davis runs, her candidacy could accelerate the party’s efforts and potentially make Texas competitive in time for the upcoming presidential election — a prospect that could seriously complicate Republican hopes of taking back the White House in 2016.

Hillary Clinton is already popular in Texas, and many of her supporters believe she would’ve been able to put the state in play had she earned the party’s nomination in 2008 — and could still do so, if she runs in 2016.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/governor-races/312391-davis-decision-in-texas-race-has-big-ramifications#ixzz2ZhLZLUYJ

[Eleanors38]

1. She might be better advised to run for Lt Governor,

which is statutorily more powerful than the position of governor. The current occupant, Dewhurst, is considered vulnerable.

I eaves dropped on a table of RWers who thought along these lines as well. They also feared her ability to organize, and conceded her previous campaigns were extremely effective.

A further ramification: A successful campaign for state-wide office would be a much-needed model for and influence on the moribund Democratic Party here.

[dsc]

3. I tend to agree with that thought

People who live outside the south don't understand just how powerful some of these LT governors are and how weak some of these governors are. MS and TX both have very weak govs and very strong LT govs. And the fact Dewhurst isn't even considering a run for gov after his loss to Cruz speaks volumes of his weakness.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Does Texas run the gov and lt gov as separate tickets or combined?

[davidpdx]

5. According to Wikipedia separately

So in theory you could have a Republican governor and Democrat lt. governor or vice versa.

[Thinkingabout]

2. We need a strong candidate to run for governor of Texas, Texas needs to return to the wonderful blue

of the past and to the wonderful life provided by BLUE. The blubber butt Dan Patrick is planning to run for Lt Governor, he needs stay home and shut his mouth for a while. Did not like him as a sports reporter and like him less as a representative.

Go Wendy Go, bring back the greatness of Ann Richards.