TX-SEN-08: Lampson Getting A Look

The Houston Chronicle is taking a look at Congressman Nick Lampson (D-Stafford), as a potential contender for John Cornyn’s U.S. Senate Seat in 2008:

The Stafford Democrat is giving serious consideration to entering the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent John Cornyn, well-connected Democrats in Texas and Washington say.

Lampson’s jaunt last weekend to San Antonio to mingle with donors at a fundraiser for the national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn’t done anything to discourage the speculation — particularly since he underwent major heart surgery less than a month before and has yet to resume a full work schedule.

Of course, that DSCC fund-raiser was full of potential senate candidates, including the host. From what I hear, you couldn’t turn around without bumping into possible contenders. We’ve previously brought you our “list of 8″ we believe could win the race in ‘08. Lampson, of course, was on the list. Since then, one person, a fairly unknown quantity, has announced  he’ll seek the seat.

There are rumors and innuendo that everyone from John Sharp to Ron Kirk are planning on a run at Cornyn. At this point, though, until at least one major contender actually announces an intention one way or another, it’s all speculation. Once one major contender announces an “in” or “out,” (and I expect at least one to do so within two weeks of the adjournment of the 80th Legislature), though, it’s going to be difficult to do more than make educated guesses about who is “in” and who is “out.”

What’s more interesting to me is that there are major rumblings that Cornyn is going to receive a challenge from within his own party. Names mentioned so far in that department include Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

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