Strayhorn hints against running for governor

[Freddie Stubbs]

Comptroller denies statement that she wouldn't seek re-election

By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN - Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn indicated Monday she may be about to back away from challenging Gov. Rick Perry in next year's Republican primary.

Strayhorn's spokesman, Mark Sanders, issued a statement denying she ever told Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs that she would not seek re-election as comptroller. Combs has been preparing to run for Strayhorn's office if she vacates it to run for governor.

Strayhorn has been running a shadow campaign against Perry for almost two years, criticizing him at every opportunity. While Strayhorn has never publicly ruled out a run for re-election, her posturing until Monday had always been toward challenging Perry.

But the Republican Party infrastructure has been lining up against her. She recently was snubbed and shut out of a Republican Party of Texas fund-raising dinner. And all of the statewide, nonjudicial elected officials, including Combs, signed a letter endorsing Perry's re-election.

more: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3006960

[crispini]

1. Hopefully, this means (cross your fingers)

that Kay's in. heh heh heh....

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. That was my first thought

I have been wondering if they will make a deal to do a switcheroo. Perry runs for the Senate and Hutchison runs for Governor.

[Princess Buttercup]

3. Strayhorn can't compete with the good hair duo!

Kay Bailey and Gov. Goodhair definitely have her beat when it comes to that. Apparently people, especially in this great state (where I have lived all my life), do base their votes on things like who has good hair, or who went to A&M (or UT).

LE

[PDittie]

4. Who runs for Senate on their side?

To me that's the $64,000 question.

Really, why haven't we heard more about the persons greedy enough to desire being "the next Senator from the Great State of Texas"? Because Kay hasn't announced for governor yet? Goodness, I don't think she's so popular that, even if she decides to stay in Washington, doesn't draw a primary opponent...

But I'm all but certain she goes for Governor. After all, she can't run for President from the Senate...

So could it be Carole? I think she should -- since she's probably getting tubed out of the governor's race, not because I like her. She'd have the most name recognition of anyone, and she's already won statewide a handful of times.

Someone in the US House?

I think we'll get some right-wing nutjob like Joe Barton, or a Hispanic like Henry Bonilla, maybe even a maverick like Ron Paul. Maybe all three of them.

State Senators? The ones I know best are here in the Houston area and of that group possibly Kyle Janek or Jon Lindsay may feel like they are ready for a promotion. (Against the competition previously mentioned, they would not fare well.)

Possibly one of the SC judges? Scott Brister? Nathan Hecht?

The AG (Greg Abbott)? Worked out for Cornholeyn...

Land commissioner Jerry Patterson -- he of "Bush's representative at the Crawford ranch gate to meet Max Cleland" fame? He's a suitable suckup to the Bushes, and again has been elected on a state ballot...

The only Republican I would rule out is DeLay.

There's going to be half a dozen Pukes jockeying in the primary for that chair. Fur will fly early and often. There will probably be a runoff. And the primary victor will be perceived to be able to coast in the general election.

Who wouldn't want that job?