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Next election for the U.S. Senate seat from Texas not until 2012
by Dave McNeely
Midland Reporter-Telegram
The next election for the United States Senate from Texas is not scheduled until 2012.
But with 15-year incumbent Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison talking up a race for governor in 2010, and saying she definitely won't run for Senate re-election in 2012, and could resign as early as 2009, the battle to get on the short list is already underway.
Former Texas Comptroller John Sharp, the Democrat who lost his last two statewide races in 1998 and 2002, already has announced he's running -- regardless of who else runs, or when the election is held.
"I will be a candidate whether the election is in 2012 or any time before then," said Sharp, who turned 58 July 25. "Texans face tough challenges that call for innovative solutions, and that's what our campaign is all about."
Sharp served in both the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate before being elected to the Railroad Commission in 1986. He was elected comptroller in 1990 and again in 1994, but lost races for lieutenant governor to then-Agriculture Commissioner (now Governor) Rick Perry in 1998, and then-Land Commissioner (now Lt. Governor) David Dewhurst in 2002.
After leaving the comptroller's office, Sharp affiliated with Dallas-based Ryan, Inc., a tax consulting firm. He is helping the firm set up a charitable foundation. Sharp also co-founded and served as treasurer for an anti-cancer initiative, Texans to Cure Cancer.
In 2006, Perry and Sharp renewed their friendship from Texas Aggie student days, and Perry named Sharp to head a tax study commission seeking an alternative to the over-reliance on property taxes to fund schools.
Sharp, who increased his personal wealth considerably after joining Ryan, said he'll file the necessary papers to begin raising money on New Year's Day.
By announcing his intentions early, Sharp signaled two things.
One was that a recent post-election poll by Republican Pollster David Hill, which found the Republican brand is badly bruised even in Texas, is an encouraging sign for Democrats.
The other is Sharp apparently wants to signal to as many other folks eyeing the seat that he's serious. With his presumed residual name identification from being on statewide ballots every four years from 1986 through 2002, that may give some of the hopefuls reason for pause.
One who hasn't blinked is former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams of Weatherford, a Republican. He's ramping up to join what could be a crowded field before the gates close -- or even open.
Several other Republicans also are mentioned. State Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano set up an exploratory committee last summer, and has the endorsement of 14 of her fellow Senate Republicans.
Others considered possibilities include Texas Railroad Commission members Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams, U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Houston Mayor Bill White, a former chairman of the Texas Democratic Party who's now in his last term as mayor, is also thought to be interested.
Special elections are funny beasts. There are no party primaries; candidates run on one ballot, regardless of party affiliation, and if no one gets a majority, a runoff is held between the top two finishers. Thus it would be possible to have two Republicans, or two Democrats, or one of each, in a runoff. Or an independent, Libertarian, or something else.
And, because it's a federal election, the candidates are limited on how much they can receive from each individual ($2,300) and political action committee $5,000). State elections in Texas have no contribution limits.
But with 15-year incumbent Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison talking up a race for governor in 2010, and saying she definitely won't run for Senate re-election in 2012, and could resign as early as 2009, the battle to get on the short list is already underway.
Former Texas Comptroller John Sharp, the Democrat who lost his last two statewide races in 1998 and 2002, already has announced he's running -- regardless of who else runs, or when the election is held.
"I will be a candidate whether the election is in 2012 or any time before then," said Sharp, who turned 58 July 25. "Texans face tough challenges that call for innovative solutions, and that's what our campaign is all about."
Sharp served in both the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate before being elected to the Railroad Commission in 1986. He was elected comptroller in 1990 and again in 1994, but lost races for lieutenant governor to then-Agriculture Commissioner (now Governor) Rick Perry in 1998, and then-Land Commissioner (now Lt. Governor) David Dewhurst in 2002.
After leaving the comptroller's office, Sharp affiliated with Dallas-based Ryan, Inc., a tax consulting firm. He is helping the firm set up a charitable foundation. Sharp also co-founded and served as treasurer for an anti-cancer initiative, Texans to Cure Cancer.
In 2006, Perry and Sharp renewed their friendship from Texas Aggie student days, and Perry named Sharp to head a tax study commission seeking an alternative to the over-reliance on property taxes to fund schools.
Sharp, who increased his personal wealth considerably after joining Ryan, said he'll file the necessary papers to begin raising money on New Year's Day.
By announcing his intentions early, Sharp signaled two things.
One was that a recent post-election poll by Republican Pollster David Hill, which found the Republican brand is badly bruised even in Texas, is an encouraging sign for Democrats.
The other is Sharp apparently wants to signal to as many other folks eyeing the seat that he's serious. With his presumed residual name identification from being on statewide ballots every four years from 1986 through 2002, that may give some of the hopefuls reason for pause.
One who hasn't blinked is former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams of Weatherford, a Republican. He's ramping up to join what could be a crowded field before the gates close -- or even open.
Several other Republicans also are mentioned. State Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano set up an exploratory committee last summer, and has the endorsement of 14 of her fellow Senate Republicans.
Others considered possibilities include Texas Railroad Commission members Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams, U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Houston Mayor Bill White, a former chairman of the Texas Democratic Party who's now in his last term as mayor, is also thought to be interested.
Special elections are funny beasts. There are no party primaries; candidates run on one ballot, regardless of party affiliation, and if no one gets a majority, a runoff is held between the top two finishers. Thus it would be possible to have two Republicans, or two Democrats, or one of each, in a runoff. Or an independent, Libertarian, or something else.
And, because it's a federal election, the candidates are limited on how much they can receive from each individual ($2,300) and political action committee $5,000). State elections in Texas have no contribution limits.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
txradioguy wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:27 AM:
" If by "Charasmatic you mean "phoney" "shallow" and "fraud" then you are on to something.
But then it's nothing the Dems haven't been trying to put forward as their ideal candidate for the last 30 years. "
But then it's nothing the Dems haven't been trying to put forward as their ideal candidate for the last 30 years. "
al wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:00 AM:
" Elections-------re. your article
The higher the voter turnout, the better it is for Democrats. The Polling formula does not recognize previously incactive voters in their calcs.
This particlulary applies to a state that is 50% Latino and African American. "
The higher the voter turnout, the better it is for Democrats. The Polling formula does not recognize previously incactive voters in their calcs.
This particlulary applies to a state that is 50% Latino and African American. "
Daniel Seigler wrote on Mar 20, 2009 1:01 PM:
" The Senate, in the ORIGINAL Constitution of the United States, was made to represent the STATE in the federal governing body. By adding the 17th Amendment, the State was effectively removed from naming it representatives to the governing body. If this topical legislation comes to fruition, then the State is effectively TOTALLY removed from representation in the national governing body.
Now, i want less governing bodies telling me how to live my life, but i do believe that the State should have equal representation. "
Now, i want less governing bodies telling me how to live my life, but i do believe that the State should have equal representation. "
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Jack wrote on Jul 28, 2008 6:36 AM: