AUSTIN, Texas — The result of the Texas race for the U.S. Senate this week will get top Republican politicians in Austin working on their plans for the future.
Republican statewide officeholders have been patiently waiting for their chance to move up. Gov. Rick Perry serves as an example. He moved from the Texas House, to the Agriculture Commission and then became lieutenant governor before moving to the mansion on Colorado Street.
Attorney General Greg Abbott, State Comptroller Susan Combs, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples are all positioning themselves to move up if Gov. Rick Perry decides not to run again or Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst goes to the Senate.
But if both men stay in their present jobs, Republicans could see big fights within their ranks.