Bartlett Could Be Eyeing Governor’s Office In 2010

Ever since the story broke that White House adviser Dan Bartlett, who worked on President Bush’s campaign for governor against the late Ann Richards, was returning to Texas, rumors have been humming around Austin about his political future.

Bartlett, who will return to Texas after the first of the year to work for Public Strategies, is rumored to be a contender for a couple of different offices in 2010.

First and foremost, we heard his name mentioned as one to add to the ever growing list of people likely to run for governor. (A list that, to date, for Republicans, includes Lt. Governor Dewhurst, Comptroller Susan Combs, Governor Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, State Sen. Dan Patrick, Harris County Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt, former Congressman Henry Bonilla, and more). He has also been mentioned as a candidate for Lt. Governor, where he could face off against Todd Staples, who is widely rumored to have his eye on that post or the Comptroller’s Office.

Of course, this is all speculation, but such speculation seems to arise every time a former Bush administration official from Texas returns to Texas, a la 2004 when former Commerce Secretary Don Evans was reportedly a “sure thing” for Governor or Comptroller in 2006.

We’re still waiting for him to file his ballot application.

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