Tom Leppert To Run For Senate Seat?
Republican sources have told me that the mayor is seriously interested in Kay Bailey’s seat. So I called him yesterday to confirm. He was clearly not happy about the leak. After he stammered around a bit, I told him to take his time and get back to me with a response. This is it:
I’m flattered that people have suggested me for such an important seat. Clearly, there is a long list of candidates and Senator Hutchison has not even indicated her plans concerning the seat. I’m proud to serve the citizens of and eager to continue working with the City Council on the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.
That is not a no.
I could leave it at that, but I won’t. The mayor’s major initiative in his first year has been the convention hotel. It is an expensive undertaking, and its fast-tracking through the City Council mainly is due to the mayor’s contention that it will not be a drag on the city’s finances. To my mind, it would be irresponsible of Leppert to leave this for others to manage. When Ron Kirk stepped down to run for Senate, his major priorites — the Trinity bond program, the arena — had been accomplished. Leppert has barely begun. If he were to abandon his post now to seek a higher office, I doubt he would even carry Dallas.
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Let me add this thought: big city mayors in Texas overestimate their draw statewide. Ron Kirk was an unknown outside of this area when he ran for the senate in 2002. He had to go to a runoff to beat Victor Morales 60-40 in the Democratic primary. He got clobbered in the general election. He had more votes than the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, but fewer votes than John Sharp in the Lt. Gov. race. Kirk barely won Dallas County and just didn’t have enough support statewide to overcome the natural GOP advantage.
Leppert would be even more of an unknown than Kirk. Worse, he’d be in a heavily contested Republican primary with well-funded opponents. My belief is that Rick Perry will be in this race in 2010 instead of the Governor’s race. I don’t see Leppert beating slick Rick in the primary.
Let him run. I’m sure Austin is in need of an unnecessary hotel or 2.
Agreed on big city mayors. I hope you’re wrong about slick Rick. Will his hair be his chief of staff?
This post may be Leppert’s trial ballon, but the hotel issue could be his Hindenberg if he does not play it right. Find another, “look what I did!” project for your senate campaign.
I hope he stays. Maybe he could run in 6 years when he’s termed out and run against Cornyn.
I don’t think any statewide elected Republican has participated in a GLBT Day Parade. IJS.
My vote is for Mayor Bill White of Houston to take Kay’s spot in the Senate. He is at least a mayor who can build consensus and get things done. I don’t even care what party he is attached to. I know he will do right for the state of Texas.
Disclaimer: I am a Republican Precinct Chair, but I will always vote for who I think is the best person for the job. Sometimes they might have a (D) behind their name…
I agree with Rick Thomas. Mofo man for Senate in 2010, then as GOP POTUS candidate in 2016.
I’m doubting we’ll see another Texas governor elected President in our lifetime.