TX 2014: Perry almost certainly not running; announcing within a week

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I hope a reliable firm like PPP does some new polling in a week or so, I'd be interested to see where things stand. Though I think Davis would be a really long shot in '14, it's worth noting that Tuesday morning she had 1,200 Twitter followers. It's now over 80k. If they screw her district to where she can't win reelection, she should go for Governor anyway.

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A couple of TX Politics updates y'all may not have heard (or that haven't been posted yet)


Senator Dan Patrick, ranked in Texas Monthly's Worst Legislators of the session list, is probably one of the more high-profile (relatively speaking) challengers for the Lt. Governor primary. Dewhurst is running again, and it'll be pretty crowded on the GOP side. Patrick is also notable for his work reforming standardized testing and expansion of graduation pathways for Texas public schools this session.
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cypresscreek/news/state-sen-dan-patrick-announces-campaign-for-texas-lt-governor/article_566415e8-e00f-11e2-bed4-0019bb2963f4.html

The chaotic end of the special session coupled with Perry calling a new session so quickly have postponed his announcement
http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/bad0847437e84da1880d0a5fc57e2493/TX--Perry-Future/

Senator Wendy Davis has already had an aide float a 2014 statewide bid, which concerns me because I think it's probably too soon. I was reassured reading the actual quote, specifically the fact that the aide says they are “working closely with the Lone Star Project, Senator Davis’ team is pulling together the information needed in terms of financial commitments and voter attitudes to make an informed decision on statewide prospects." This tells me that she probably won't if she doesn't see an opening in 'voter attitudes' (I assume this means gobs of internal polling).
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/wendy-davis-texas-governor-race-93573.html#ixzz2XXomNgw5


The Texas Tribune, whose coverage of the special session was phenomenal, have a great and thorough blog for everything 2014 in Texas: http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2014-statewide-elections/

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^Perry's also put transportation and juvenile justice on the agenda, which were both bills that didn't make it out of the first special session due to the SB5 fight last Monday/Tuesday. Presumably he'll try to get the abortion legislation passed first.

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There are a number of rumors going around. There's even one that he will be the Chancellor of the University of Texas system, which would be hilarious until we realized he wasn't joking.


Burnt Orange Report has the main rumors:

• Rick Perry will replace Wayne Lapierre as VP of the NRA.
  
• Rick Perry will head a conservative "think tank".
• Rick Perry will announce a book deal.
• Rick Perry will unveil a new charity.
• Rick Perry will lead a Super PAC to recruit and elect conservative candidates.

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13744/what-will-governor-rick-perry-say-on-monday

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Congrats Governor Abbott.

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My assumption was that her calculus was she'd run against Perry but not Abbott. Abbott has a lot less baggage.

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Are you sure Abbott will win the primaries?

I think he has a fairly ginormous cash advantage, but given the 2012 senate primary, something unexpected could certainly happen.

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I know. Nice typography.

The yellow sign in the corner says "Fast Cars, Firearms, & Freedom!" and then the don't tread on me logo

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To be taken to jail his niece would have had to be shoplifting over $50 worth of merchandise.


And you didn't even quote the best part, what he said on the phone:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/21/lt-gov-dewhurst-calls-police-after-relatives-arres/

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Davis will announce Oct 3

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/09/17/announcement-wendy-davis-sort/

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Interesting article for Lubbock, which is pretty much unanimously the most conservative major city in the state. If Davis does run I'll be interested to see how she performs in east Texas and the Lubbock area.