Greg Abbott’s Campaign Cash

Back in 2002, everyone knew that Greg Abbott wouldn’t be content staying as Texas’ Attorney General for too long. In fact, some were surprised he didn’t make a move up the political ladder in 2006.

Now, the Dallas Morning News is taking notice of the fact that Abbott just happens to have more cash on hand than any other GOP politician:

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has more campaign cash than fellow Republicans Gov. Rick Perry and Tom Craddick combined, but he’s not ready to discuss his next move.

With almost $7.3 million at his disposal, Abbott’s options range from running for re-election in 2010 to possible pursuits of lieutenant governor, governor or the U.S. Senate.

“It’s too early to get into the prediction game, but (the money) is to be ready to wage a vigorous campaign to ensure that I get elected in this next go-round,” Abbott said in an interview published Tuesday by the Houston Chronicle.

If Abbott stayed as Attorney General, he’d have a very aggressive opponent in 2010 on the Democratic side. And, with GOP names ranging from former State Rep. and current House Parliamentarian Terry Keel to State Rep. Will Hartnett being mentioned as GOP possibilities for the seat, he could well face a primary challenge (if he stays where he is) in a year in which every statewide office is likely to be contested in the GOP primary.

Either way, Abbott’s ambition is no secret. Conventional wisdom, though, says he’ll go for Lieutenant Governor, where he may face Ag Commissioner Todd Staples (unless he runs for Comptroller) or Comptroller Susan Combs in a GOP primary assuming Dewhurst makes a run for Governor. And, though “conventional wisdom” says Dewhurst wants to be governor, he’s coveted a U.S. Senate seat since before he announced for Lt. Governor in 2001.

While we’re on the topic of 2010, we know Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams has his eye on something more glamorous. He’s reportedly looking at the governor’s race, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run for AG or Lieutenant Governor.

The only GOP statewide officeholder who seems to be content right where he is (aside from Elizabeth Ames Jones who has probably traveled the “interior decorator-turned-Railroad Commissioner” train as far up the track as it will go) is Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. You don’t hear his name mentioned too often when talk of the 2010 primary comes up. Of course, Patterson, in spite of being outspoken, is probably the most modest (in terms of ambitions) of the GOP prima donnas holding statewide office in Texas today.

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