Burnt Orange Report

Hugh Brady Officially Not Running for HD 48

By Phillip Martin

I received an e-mail today from Hugh Brady that he has officially decided not to enter the HD 48 race for Republican Rep. Todd Baxter's seat. That should leave us with three primary candidates, with Monday's announcement about Kathy Rider joining Andy Brown and Donna Howard in the Democratic Primary to unseat Baxter. From his statement:

“My late cousin, U.S. Congressman Noble J. Gregory, often quoted the observation of his fellow Kentuckian Louis Brandeis that 'the most important political office is that of the private citizen.' From my own experience, I know this is true and choose to remain a private citizen and continue my work with the Legislature in that capacity. Accordingly, I will not seek the nomination of my party for state representative from Travis County."

It is my understanding that Hugh will continue working with the Democratic Caucuses of the Texas Legislature (among other things), trying to defeat bad bills and triumph good ones as he has in recent sessions. For his full statement, click on the jump.

“For the past three months, I have been exploring a possible candidacy for state representative from District 48. Many friends, old and new, have visited with me and encouraged me to seriously consider this race. I am very grateful for their time, advice, counsel and support.

“A man should “not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good
action,” Sam Rayburn said, but instead should “try to use ordinary
situations.” Over the past ten years, I have done exactly this by working day-in and day-out with legislators of both parties, public interest advocates and private citizens to create positive changes for Austin and for Texas.

“My late cousin, U.S. Congressman Noble J. Gregory, often quoted the
observation of his fellow Kentuckian Louis Brandeis that “the most
important political office is that of the private citizen.” From my own experience, I know this is true and choose to remain a private citizen and continue my work with the Legislature in that capacity. Accordingly, I will not seek the nomination of my party for state representative from Travis County.

“Elections are about choices. The voters of District 48 deserve a vigorous debate between the competing visions and philosophies of the candidates who seek to represent them at the Capitol. I am confident that, in the end, the voters will choose the right candidate to represent their hopes for their children and their community.”