Today, President of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association Jason Gibson withdrew from the Democratic primary, endorsing former State Rep. Paul Sadler.
JASON GIBSON STATEMENT ON WITHDRAWAL FROM U.S. SENATE RACE
Jason Gibson issued the following statement on his decision to withdraw from seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate:
"After careful consideration, I have decided to not seek the Democratic nomination for United States Senate. The extensive time and energy needed to raise funds and build name ID around the state in a very narrow time-frame mean too little time and energy left for my family, my law practice and my duties as President of HTLA. This is the right decision for me and my family at this time.
"This was my first time seeking elected office, and I knew that as an outsider, I'd be up against others with institutional advantages. My heart and my upbringing are with the labor movement and I did not want to move forward without their endorsement.
"It has been an honor to travel and talk to voters all over Texas, and I truly appreciate the supporters who embraced our message of a new direction for our great state.
"I still believe that Texas deserves a hardworking U.S. Senator who will challenge gridlock in Washington - that's why I am endorsing fellow Democrat Paul Sadler.
"I remain a proud Texas Democrat and I will explore how I can be helpful in getting other Democrats elected to office in 2012 and beyond."
Gibson's endorsement follows a string of recent endorsements for Sadler, including:
State Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, State Representative Rafael Anchia of Dallas, State Representative Lon Burnam of Dallas, State Representative and Democratic National Committee Member Yvonne Davis of Dallas, State Representative Joe Deshotel of Beaumont, State Representative Dawnna Dukes of Austin, Former House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam of Waco, State Representative Scott Hochberg of Houston, State Representative Joe Pickett of El Paso, State Representative Richard Pena Raymond of Laredo, State Representative Mark Strama of Austin, and labor leader Linda Chavez-Thompson.
Update 5:49 p.m.: The Sadler campaign has responded with this release.
Paul Sadler Responds to Jason Gibson's Decision to Withdraw From U.S. Senate Campaign
Austin, TX -- Democratic candidate for the United State Senate Paul Sadler released the following statement today in response to Houston attorney Jason Gibson's decision to withdraw from the race for the Democratic nomination:
"I want to thank Jason Gibson for his willingness to sacrifice time away from his family and his law firm's clients while exploring a run for the United States Senate. I respect his decision that now is not the right time for him to continue in this campaign, but I am sure he will never stop fighting for a better future for our state and our country. Jason's future is surely a bright one.
"I will continue to work hard to earn the votes of Texans who want to return our U.S. Senate seat to its rightful owners -- the working families and small businesses who make our state great." |
