Burnt Orange Report

May 07, 2004

Susan Combs to run for Comptroller in 2006

By Byron LaMasters

We all knew it would happen at some point, but I'm a bit surprised that it's happening this soon. The game of musical chairs for statewide offices has begun. The Houston Chronicle reports:

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs confirmed today she's planning to run for state comptroller in 2006, a job now held by fellow Republican Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
Combs wouldn't divulge any conversations she's had with Strayhorn, but said she doesn't expect Strayhorn to run for the office in the next election.

"I think it'll be an open primary," Combs said in a telephone interview.

Strayhorn is considered a potential candidate for governor in 2006, although she won't say whether she's seeking the state's top job.

"I love being comptroller, and I am 24-7 comptroller. That is my total focus right now," Strayhorn said today, adding: "I always say that I never say never when the people of Texas ask me to serve."

Strayhorn said Combs has spoken with her several times over the past year expressing her interest in running for comptroller -- the state's chief financial post -- if Strayhorn doesn't run again. Strayhorn wouldn't say what she told Combs about her future political plans.

Strayhorn has publicly criticized incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, most recently over his school finance proposal. Their clashes have fueled speculation that Strayhorn is plotting to run against him in two years.

"Texas politics isn't just a contact sport, it's a bloody contact sport. ... I say that tongue in cheek," Strayhorn said. "I care passionately about education. I care passionately about health care. I care passionately about the state of Texas."

[...]

Combs, 59, is a lawyer and fourth-generation rancher with a cattle operation in West Texas. She was a Dallas County prosecutor, served in the Texas House for two terms and worked for Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison before being elected agriculture commissioner in 1998. She oversees the Texas Department of Agriculture and its annual budget of $1.9 billion.

Combs said she decided to say now what elected post she is seeking in 2006 because she continues to be asked about it.

The speculation is that either Kay Bailey Hutchison or Carole Keeton Strayhorn will challenge Rick Perry for renomination. I'd be shocked if neither of them does. Thus, it's entirely possible that Republicans will see bloody contests for Governor, U.S. Senator, and possibly for other offices. It'll be nice to watch from the sidelines.

Posted by Byron LaMasters at May 7, 2004 07:21 PM | TrackBack

Comments

So who's running for ag commissioner?

:: cough ::

Candidate disputes state's use of Go Texan funds

Tom Ramsay, Democratic candidate for state agriculture commissioner, said recently that grants from the Go Texan advertising campaign are benefiting some of incumbent Susan Combs' biggest campaign supporters.

The Go Texan advertising campaign, established by the Texas Legislature in 1999, matches funds with groups who propose projects supporting products grown, raised or processed in Texas.

Beverly Boyd, deputy assistant commissioner for the Texas Department of Agriculture, said Friday that Combs doesn't make decisions about who receives the funds appropriated by the Go Texan campaign. Money is allotted by an autonomous board of directors, she said.

"According to a study done by an economist at Texas A&M, the investments made by TDA through the Go Texan program have had a 1,000 percent return on the state's economy," Boyd said.

Leland Beatty, campaign manager for Tom Ramsay, said the exchange of monies is questionable.

"One-third of the total money available through the Go Texan fund was awarded to Nolan Ryan and Charles Butts," he said. "Both later contributed to Susan's campaign; Butts gave $40,000."

"Susan herself said that the money in the Go Texan fund was supposed to be used to support little companies. I just think it's suspicious."

(Daily Texan briefs, 08/05/2002)

Since GO TEXAN has been Combs signature agriculture program -- and since there have been at least a few people who have criticized/made allegations about how the fund's money has been spent, I think this is an issue for a potential comptroller candidate.

Posted by: Jim D at May 7, 2004 07:44 PM

Nolan would be a great candidate for Ag Commissioner. He's been touted as a potential candidate before. I know this would alienate even the most die-hard Democratic baseball fans, because Nolan leans hard right (he's even recorded radio commercials and served as honorary campaign chairman for Ron Paul). But why give up a cushy gig with the 'Stros, owning a minor league team, and living life easy? I doubt he'd do it.

I've got predictions on statewide races on my blog.

Posted by: Chris at May 7, 2004 10:56 PM

Well I wouldn't vote for Nolan Ryan, but I don't think he'd be terrible. He did support John Sharp in 2002 after all. I think he would have more trouble in a GOP primary than with Democrats in a general.

Posted by: Byron L at May 8, 2004 08:31 PM

News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas

May 07, 2004

Susan Combs to run for Comptroller in 2006

By Byron LaMasters