Garza Says He Won’t Run For Governor In 2010

Could it be that the GOP establishment or right-wing is trying to clear the field for a pre-ordained candidate (other than Rick Perry) other than 2010? Check this out, concerning former RR Commissioner and now Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza:

 AUSTIN — Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of running for Texas governor in 2010.

Speculation has focused on potential runs by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst for the Republican nomination to replace Gov. Rick Perry, who hasn’t ruled out running for re-election.

But Garza also has been frequently mentioned as a possible GOP candidate, partly because of his political history in Texas and partly because of his 2005 marriage to Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala, a beer and television heiress who reportedly is the richest woman in Mexico.

Garza called news stories speculating about him running “flattering, but off the mark. I love Texas and have enjoyed serving it both at home and abroad. But the fact is, I’m not running.”

Garza served as Cameron County judge before then-Gov. George W. Bush named him Texas secretary of state. Garza later won election to the Texas Railroad Commission. And after Bush became president, he named Garza ambassador to Mexico.

Garza said he wanted to end speculation about running for governor so it would not detract from his work in Mexico. He said he plans to stay out of politics after he leaves his ambassadorship, which likely will happen when Bush’s term as president ends in January 2009.

“This is what I would like to do when my tenure as ambassador is complete: be one of those Texans who stand outside the political arena but who continue to serve and make a positive difference in people’s lives,” said Garza, who turns 48 on Saturday.

If Hutchison wins the governorship in the 2010 election, she would have to give up her Senate seat with two years left on her term. As governor, she could appoint someone such as Garza to the Senate.

Oh, jeez. That last paragraph is way too much speculation even for me.