John Sharp To Run Against John Cornyn In ‘08?
By Vince Leibowitz on Nov 13, 2006 in 2008 Texas Elections, 2010 Texas Elections
Accordint to Capitol Inside, Texas Comptroller John Sharp’s name is being bantied about as a possible contender against Senator John Cornyn in 2008.
Surprise, surprise, surprise.
Capitol Inside also mentions Houston Mayor Bill White as a contender, as well as Ron Kirk and Barbara Radnofsky.
I think all of this “talk” about Sharp is simply a lot of build-up. Everyone knows that Sharp wants to be governor, plain and simple. And, in 2010, I fully expect Sharp to make a run in that direction.
As for Kirk, who knows. I’ve heard numerous rumblings about Kirk being interested in a Congressional Seat, the governorship and even the Lt. Governor’s race. So, who knows.
As for Radnofsky, the buzz is that she’s going to be drafted to take on Culberson next cycle since she lives in his district. As for White, I think he’s a more likely contender for U.S. Senate because he won’t go head-to-head with Sharp in a Democratic Primary, because Sharp would win.
And, word on the street remains that Lampson is going to be making a run for Senate in ‘08, too.
Of course, there are still many other unknowns: What about Jim Turner, Max Sandlin, Ken Bentsen, Chris Bell and other Democratic stars/rising stars? Heck, Ted Lyon’s name is still being thrown about as a contender for statewide office, so we know there are others out in the woodwork.
Only time will tell if any of this speculation amounts to anything.
Rick Noriega.
Wait; White would lose to Sharp? Maybe I’m too young to realize that…
And while I have been hearing rumors of Radnofsky v. Culberson, I have also been hearing rumors of Ellen Cohen being drafted to go against Culberson, too. But I find BAR more likely there; and she can win, too.
And what about Chet Edwards?
Michael,
Sharp would swamp White in East Texas, Dallas and probably most of West and deep South Texas unless White spent millions in my estimation.
Cohen won’t have had enough “tenure” by ‘08 to run against Culberson. If Radnofsky doesn’t do it, Cohen would be ready for higher office after a couple more terms.
AS for Chet Edwards, he’ll stay in his seat a long time. If he gives it up, it’s likely lost. Perhaps four to six more terms, and Chet might go for Senate, but I just don’t know.
Sharp turned down the Senate in 1993. Why would he run for that now?
Poindexter,
I agree with you. I don’t think Sharp wants the Senate. I think he wants the governorship.