Chris Bell, the 2006 Democratic nominee for governor, has taken the first formal step toward relaunching his political career by appointing a treasurer to allow him to raise money for a race for the Texas Senate in November.
Putting a treasurer in place means that the one-term former congressman who finished second in a five-candidate race for governor two years ago means that Bell can legally approach donors who might want to help him in the special election to replace former state Sen. Kyle Janek. The Houston Republican quit the Legislature last month to become a lobbyist.
Although the GOP has comfortably held the vacant Senate seat since the 1980 election cycle, Democrats see an opportunity for a take-away because of shifting demographics in the six-county district and the perceived disaffection with the Republicans. Operatives for the GOP remain confident that their side will prevail.
If Bell decides to formally enter the race, that could mean that the four best-known candidates for governor in 2006 plan to keep their political careers running forward.
Third-place finisher Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the ex-state comptroller who quit the GOP to run as an independent, is eyeing a run for Austin mayor next year. She held that post in the 1970s. Entertainer Kinky Friedman, who came in fourth running as an independent, says he'll likely make another run for guv in 2010, this time as a Democrat.
And Rick Perry, the Republican victor two years ago, says he has no plans to quit when his present term expires even though he'll have 10 years in office.
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