Texas state senator Wendy Davis continues to stoke gubernatorial speculation, hinting on Monday that she may challenge Republican attorney general Greg Abbott in the Lone Star State’s 2014 gubernatorial election.
Speaking at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington D.C., Davis declared that “I can say with absolute certainty that I will run for one of two offices: my state senate seat, or for the governor.”
Davis, who became an overnight political superstar after her 10-hour filibuster to block a restrictive anti-abortion bill from passing through the state senate, later expanded on her comments to Politico.
“I’m still trying to decide, but I do think people are ready for a change from the partisan, very fractured leadership we have in Texas,” Davis said.
“I think you can’t let too much more time get away because it’s a big race,” she added. “I gotta get my final decision made soon.”
Davis is easily the strongest of the potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates, with a solid favorability rating and more than $1 million in the bank after a big fundraising boost in the wake of her filibuster. Still, she would be a huge underdog against Abbott, the likely Republican nominee. According to a recent Public Policy Polling survey, Abbott leads Davis by 8 percent in a hypothetical gubernatorial matchup; additionally, Abbott’s $20 million war chest would give him a massive financial advantage over the Fort Worth Democrat.
Texas’ current governor — and Davis’ frequent adversary — Rick Perry announced in July that he would not seek a record-breaking fifth term as the state’s chief executive.
Photo: Light Brigading via Flickr.com
