On the Agenda: Perry team floats re-election, but some considerations could give pause
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Commentary: It’s more than two years away, but Governor Perry is already promoting a run for re-election.
Now remember, the governor has to say he is running or he becomes a lame duck during the next legislative session, and it is also worth noting if President Obama wins re-election, Mr. Perry would be looking at an open seat for a presidential run in 2016.
On the other hand, if Governor Romney wins, Perry challenging a Republican incumbent in 2016 is unlikely. Presidential politics could figure in his calculations.
Nevertheless, we have learned over the years that Perry campaign saber rattling should always be taken seriously.
Still, there are other issues to consider.
At the end of this term, Mr. Perry will be 63. Another term puts him at 67. He has already had two major surgeries and one long term convalescence. He has a little more than a hundred thousand dollar state pension and a couple of million dollars in investments.
That is a lot of money for most folks, but not that much for a man with his lifestyle. And no matter how many wealthy supporters promise they will help support him down the road, it is still much easier to start building financial security at age 63 than at 67.
On top of that, many think that Attorney General Greg Abbott would challenge Perry. As of today, Mr. Abbott is extremely popular among Republican primary voters while some already complain of Perry-weariness.
Plus, the Attorney General has been relentless in fighting Washington as well as winning wide ranging socially conservative court victories from defending the Ten Commandments at the Capitol to upholding the recently passed sonogram bill.
Abbott and Perry have the same contributors. Abbott has nearly $15 million in the bank. Plus, he will still be the sitting AG if he runs, always helpful for future fundraising.
Abbott’s predecessor John Cornyn is now a United States Senator and his former employee Ted Cruz is poised to do the same. For Mr. Abbott, the lesson of the Cruz-Dewhurst race is that there is no upside to waiting your turn to run.
It could be now or never.
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