Combs Endorses Hegar & Hilderbran Responds; Merritt Jumps into Ag Comm Race;
Paxton Announces Cruz Advisor Goolsby as Statewide Grassroots Chair
*****
Good morning from New Orleans.
Here’s the brief:
ABBOTT, DAVIS TO ADDRESS SAME GROUP TODAY
AP reports:
The top two candidates for governor are scheduled to address Texas’ largest law enforcement union.
The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas is expected to give an award to Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis on Friday. Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott will also give a keynote address.
Both candidates have a long history of supporting law enforcement. Abbott is the state’s top attorney and Davis is being named the Legislative Crime Fighter of the Year for her work eliminating the backlog of untested rape kits.
The organization has 18,500 members across the state and provides legal, lobbying and collective bargaining services to members.
Davis is the only Democratic candidate running to replace Gov. Rick Perry when he retires in 2015. Abbott faces two challengers for the Republican nomination.
COMBS ENDORSES HEGAR, HILDERBRAN RESPONDS
TT’s Aman Batheja reports:
Comptroller Susan Combs endorsed state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, to be her successor Fridaymorning while at a meeting of Republicans in San Antonio.
“I’ve known Glenn Hegar for many years,” Combs said in a statement released by Hegar’s campaign. “He is a man of conservative principles, strong values and great integrity. He loves his state and nation and I trust him to help lead Texas as our next Comptroller.”
Hegar is running in a Republican primary against state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, former gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina and former state Rep. Raul Torres. Democrat Mike Collier is also running for the seat. Medina has said she may switch races and run for governor as an Independent.
Though the Republican candidates have been reluctant to mention Combs on the campaign trail thus far, Hegar called her “a bold leader” Friday.
“She has helped us create an economy equal to none in the country and has worked tirelessly for the citizens of Texas,” Hegar said. “I’m honored that she supports my candidacy and will faithfully carry on her legacy of transparency and government accountability if elected.”
The endorsement comes two days after the conservative group, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, and its president, Michael Quinn Sullivan, endorsed Hegar over his competitors.
Hilderbran released a statement Friday morning suggesting that Combs’ endorsement will become a line of attack against Hegar in the primary.
“This election is about the future, not the past,” Hilderbran said. “The important fact is not that Susan Combs has endorsed Glenn Hegar, but that Glenn Hegar has endorsed Susan Combs’ record. I respect Susan Combs for her service to the state, but her record has come up short in many areas. Part of the reason I am running is to make significant, specific improvements in the Comptroller’s office. I’ll take steps to protect taxpayers, improve customer service and implement a Texas Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights. That’s why I’m running. Glenn Hegar is running to continue the status quo.”
The Chron also reported on the news:
Sen. Glenn Hegar wrapped up the support of retiring Comptroller Susan Combs, who he is campaigning to succeed, Friday at a Republican event in San Antonio.
“Glenn is a fighter, and has a proven track record of reducing government inefficiencies and saving taxpayer dollars. He understands that business is the engine of our economy and he is committed to keeping it strong,” Combs said at the Texas Federation of Republican Women Convention in San Antonio, according to a Hegar press release. “I hope my fellow Texans will join me in supporting my friend, Glenn Hegar.”
Hegar, R-Katy, who gained recognition earlier this year for authoring some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the country, is facing state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, and Democrat Mike Collier to become the state’s top financial officer.
Combs, elected in 2006, served two terms in the statewide position. She received criticism earlier this year for an under-estimated budget (by about $8.8 billion) from last biennium that opponents have labelled “bad math.”
“She had an unusually and disproportionately malignant effect on not just this session, but the previous one too,” said Texas Monthly’s Erica Greider in June, defending Combs’ placement on the magazine’s traditional 10 Best and Worst Legislators for 2013. “She is empirically the worst of all time in Texas.”
Hegar’s opponent Hilderbran said the endorsement proves Hegar ”is running to continue the status quo.”
“The important fact is not that Susan Combs has endorsed Glenn Hegar, but that Glenn Hegar has endorsed Susan Combs’ record,” Hilderbran said in a written statement. “I respect Susan Combs for her service to the state, but her record has come up short in many areas. Part of the reason I am running is to make significant, specific improvements in the Comptroller’s office.”
MERRITT JUMPS INTO AG COMMISSIONER RACE
The Longview News-Journal reports that former State Rep. Tommy Merritt (R-Longview) is running for Agriculture Commissioner.
PAXTON ANNOUNCES FORMER CRUZ ADVISER GOOLSBY AS STATEWIDE GRASSROOTS CHAIR
Per a just-issued press release:
At the 29th Texas Federation of Republican Women Biennial Convention today, conservative Republican candidate for Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Kaye T. Goolsby, who serves as Statewide Grassroots Chair for Senator Ted Cruz’s campaign, will be joining the Paxton campaign as Chairman of the Statewide Leadership Team.
Senator Paxton stated, “Kaye T. Goolsby’s leadership in our campaign provides another major boost of momentum, and we are looking forward to working with her in the months ahead. When it comes to leadership and experience, Kaye is in a class all of her own. She has tremendous work ethic and integrity, earning respect wherever she goes. Her long-standing history with the party brings an incredible wealth of statewide relationships that will help propel us to victory.”
Kaye said, “Ken is a man of conviction and dedication. I always know where he stands and I trust him to fight for the issues that are important to the Republican Party. I look forward to introducing thousands of voters to Ken and his proven conservative record. I am proud to join his campaign to be the next Attorney General for the state of Texas.”
Angela Paxton, Ken’s wife, noted, “It is clear that Kaye’s passion and dedication speaks to all Republicans, and her stellar reputation will be a tremendous asset to this campaign. Whether supporting my husband or carrying the banner for Senator Cruz, her mission is always to defend family and freedom.”
Kaye T. Goolsby is former Vice President of Legislation, as well as former Vice President of Finance, for the Texas Federation of Republican Women. She has served nearly 100 campaigns both in Texas and across the country, predominantly serving on leadership teams. Kaye is a founding member of Katy Christian Ministries which provides social and financial services for families in crisis, particularly victims of domestic and sexual violence. Kaye T. Goolsby and her husband Gary, a prominent businessman, reside in Katy, Texas.
Senator Paxton has previously been endorsed by numerous Texas conservative leaders including Kelly Shackelford, Chairman of the Ted Cruz for Senate Statewide Leadership Team and Liberty Institute* President; Cathie Adams, President, Texas Eagle Forum* and Former Chairman, Republican Party of Texas; Ernest Angelo, Jr., Former Republican National Committeeman; Tim Lambert, President, Texas Home School Coalition* and Former Republican National Committeeman for Texas; Ann Hettinger, Former State Director of Concerned Women for America of Texas*; Jonathan Saenz, President, Texas Values*; Rick Green, Former Texas State Representative and Host of WallBuilders* Live; Carol Everett, Texas Pro-Life Leader; Founder and CEO of The Heidi Group*; Michelle Smith, State Director of Concerned Women for America of Texas*; and Peggy Venable. Senator Paxton has also been endorsed by U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, Texas Right to Life PAC, Texas Home School Coalition Association, 24 Texas legislators, and over 100 Tea Party leaders and activists across Texas.
*organization listed for identification purposes only
—
#txlege
– Texas Association of Business president Bill Hammond has a DMN op ed on why Prop. 6, for the creation of the Water Fund, is deserving of support.
– The Chron reports (behind paywall) that the state of Texas is ending it’s health program “for the sickest Texans.”
2013 / 2014 / 2016:
– Lt. Gov. candidate and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has an op ed in today’s SAEN on why he is hosting a 2nd amendment rally at the Alamo tomorrow.
– TIME Magazine’s Massimo Calabresi reports that an investment of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) in a Caribbean holding company was never disclosed in the 2012 campaign.
Other stories of interest:
– DMN reports the latest on Dallas’ Trinity River project.
– KTVT CBS Dallas interviewed former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on the recent government shutdown.
– SAEN reports (behind paywall) on Toyota’s celebration of its ten-year anniversary operating in Texas.
– KBH has an op ed on women and the GOP in Politico today.
Lighter clicks:
– Jay Leno was in Austin yesterday and took a few turns at the F1 track.
– Neither Idris Elba nor I have seen a single episode of The Wire.
– No, sir, Gravity wasn’t filmed in space.
– Trailer for the next Wes Anderson film.
– A recent Harris Poll found that the Dallas Cowboys remain America’s favorite NFL team. (Appallingly, the Steelers fell from #2 to #7.)
Your Daily Source of Inspiration:
– Effective U.S. diplomacy.
