CD 22: Who Of The GOP Is In, Who Is Out?
By Vince Leibowitz on Jun 12, 2007 in 2008 Texas Elections
Harris County Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt is out (probably to run for governor in 2010), Robert Talton is probably in, David Wallace is out, and Sekula-Gibbs is, well, Sekula-Gibbs.
So, who else will step up and try to challenge Nick Lampson? It will be a very tough race, but Republicans are already lining up for it.
Isn’t State Rep. Zerwas also considering a run for TX-22?
**Is Bettencourt seriously a possible gubernatorial candidate? Would he stand a chance alongside Dewhurst, possibly Hutchison, and media sideshow Patrick? (As well as Roger Williams and probably another handful of Republicans across the state)
Zerwas is supposedly considering a run.
As for Bettencourt, he’s a darling of the anti-tax crowd in the GOP. There is reportedly a grassroots movement to run him statewide in 2010. Over Dewhurst, the right of the GOP base would pick Bettencourt. Hutchison? Eh, doubtful in 2010. Age, age of the children, being relegated to the minority in Congress (for the forseable future), plus the fact that she could be a GOP Veep nominee aren’t signs that point to her runing in 2010, IMHO.
Bettencourt is going to be tapped SOS. That will “prepare” him for a statewide run, but likely not for the Governor’s mansion. There are too many people in line ahead of him, even if you discount Kay Bailey (which I don’t).
Greg Abbott wants higher office. Dan Patrick isn’t fading away.
Despite Jared Woodfill’s words about TX-22 being wide open, the field is now clearing for his law partner, Talton.
You know, PDiddie, I heard rumors about Bettencourt being tapped for SOS from RELIABLE sources but was thinking they were crazy because I thought of Bettencourt the minute Williams resigned. Glad I’m not the only one thinking that way.