# Wendy Davis for Governor of Texas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 5, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685 "2013-07-05T02:59:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/1 "2013-07-05T02:59:07Z")
[She won’t rule it out, anyway.](http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/01/19232711-rising-texas-political-star-davis-takes-second-look-at-governors-race) > [@](#): > > Her activism has reignited the conversation about her political future which could include a run for governor. “Of course it forces a second look, but I am not taking that look right now,” Davis said in an interview with NBC News. “Right now, I’m working to try to be very strategic, and a member of the team that has to work very hard in the next few weeks to defeat this bill.” > > But asked directly whether she would rule out serving as Democrats’ candidate for governor in 2014, Davis responded: “I cannot rule that out.” > > \ > > The Texas proposal, which is tentatively slated for a final vote in the state Senate next week, is likely to pass this time. Republicans in the legislature will not repeat their mistake of leaving the abortion law until the final moments of their session, the deadline which Davis used to fell the law with her filibuster. (Davis did suggest, though, that she has heard “rumblings” that some state lawmakers might reconsider their votes given the national attention to the debate now.) > > Perhaps more significantly, the coming weeks might set the stage for a marquee showdown between Davis and Perry — who is yet to say whether he’ll seek a fourth term as governor — in the 2014 governor’s race. > > Though Davis had previously said she planned to run for re-election to her state Senate seat, she acknowledged on Sunday that the national outpouring she’s received has forced her to reconsider a showdown against Perry, or another Republican candidate. > > If she were to run, Davis would be riding a wave of liberal enthusiasm behind her candidacy. Progressive blogs quickly hailed her filibuster with hopes that she would run, and heavyweight Democratic groups like the pro-abortion rights Emily’s List have encouraged Davis to run in the past. Does she have a chance? ---
**Author:** ![Snupzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@Snupzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snupzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/2 "2013-07-05T03:13:06Z")
None at all in a two way race. Texas doesn’t require a majority to win so she might have a shot if the loser of a Perry/Abbot GOP primary decides to go at it as an independent. The stars would really need to aline for this to happen though. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/3 "2013-07-05T04:02:51Z")
Why not? I’d vote for a drooling special needs adult in a diaper before I’d vote for Rick Perry again. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/4 "2013-07-05T04:07:30Z")
I’m a Democrat in Texas, but I am very pessimistic about her chances. I think the only candidate I can imagine winning is someone who is one the conservative edge of the party on social issues, who appeals very strongly to Hispanics (Hispanic or fluent in Spanish), and has a lot business support (and probably won’t push hard on the environment) - someone who can basically campaign on a platform of “good government” by arguing it is not healthy to have a one-party state. I can foresee Davis gaining higher office as a representative in U.S. congress, as the minority leader in the Texas Senate, or in an appointed federal post. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/5 "2013-07-05T06:20:26Z")
Running for Gov would be a fool’s errand. If Perry doesn’t run, (and win) some boob like Dewhurst will probably take it in a cakewalk. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/6 "2013-07-05T06:31:49Z")
If Bill White, a very likable and moderate mayor of a huge city in Texas didn’t stand a chance, this lady certainly doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![David\_H\_Singanas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/7 "2013-07-05T07:01:21Z")
BrainGlut, I still have not recovered from Houston mayor Bill White’s defeat by Rick “Good Hair” Perry. Yes Mr. White was bald headed and ugly, but we loved him as the mayor of Gotham on the Gulf. Wendy Davis doesn’t (yet) have an organization that can take on the State GOP and Teapot. Hillary Clinton was able to step into the Senate because New York had a well oiled political machine and strong state organization which wanted her. Wendy Davis has neither. I might add that former democrat governor Ann Richards was one of the worst governors that Texas has seen. Richards opened the doors of the state prisons and gave Houston a crime wave that cost me $500 worth of camera equipment and an English racer. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/8 "2013-07-05T17:22:28Z")
> [@David\_H\_Singanas](#): > > BrainGlut, > > I still have not recovered from Houston mayor Bill White’s defeat by Rick “Good Hair” Perry. > Yes Mr. White was bald headed and ugly, but we loved him as the mayor of Gotham on the Gulf. Hm. Never heard it called that before. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/9 "2013-07-05T19:14:24Z")
She should probably do more good as Lieutenant governor. The Lieutenant governor is more powerful than the governor in many way. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/10 "2013-07-05T19:36:12Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > She should probably do more good as Lieutenant governor. The Lieutenant governor is more powerful than the governor in many way. But whose lieutenant, then? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/11 "2013-07-05T20:17:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But whose lieutenant, then? It kind of doesn’t matter in Texas. There have been several times the Lt. Gov and Gov have been from different parties. The Lt. Gov for GWB’s first 4 years in office was Bob Bullock, a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/12 "2013-07-05T20:24:30Z")
Basically, the office of Gov was gutted during reconstruction, to keep the carpet baggers from getting too much power. Lt Gov was kept separate and more powerful in some ways. Some say the Lt Gov is more powerful overall, and the gov is mostly a figurehead. It depends on how you look at it. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/13 "2013-07-08T02:52:03Z")
Wendy Davis can run for any statewide office she likes, but she has no chance of being elected to any of them. Her only hope for advancement is an appointed position- maybe a Cabinet post or a federal judgeship. But she has a better chance of losing her next re-election bid than she has of being elected to a higher office here in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![David\_H\_Singanas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/14 "2013-07-08T02:54:06Z")
It was the 1875 Constitution of Texas that gutted the powers of the Governor and Lt. Governor. I believe the Yankee army stayed 10 years for “reconstruction.” 1865 to 1874. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/15 "2013-07-08T04:10:31Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > Basically, the office of Gov was gutted during reconstruction, to keep the carpet baggers from getting too much power. Lt Gov was kept separate and more powerful in some ways. Some say the Lt Gov is more powerful overall, and the gov is mostly a figurehead. It depends on how you look at it. Has anyone suggested changing that? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/16 "2013-07-08T04:14:40Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Wendy Davis can run for any statewide office she likes, but she has no chance of being elected to any of them. Why not? Dems have been. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/17 "2013-07-08T04:14:55Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Has anyone suggested changing that? What, and give Perry more power? The idea scares the crap of us. Even the idiots that voted for Perry don’t like Perry. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/18 "2013-07-08T04:18:58Z")
> [@bdgr](#): > > What, and give Perry more power? The idea scares the crap of us. Even the idiots that voted for Perry don’t like Perry. Well, I didn’t mean just that recently. Your system has been what it is since Reconstruction, and there have been many governors and lieutenant governors. What has been the general public opinion of or satisfaction with this highly unusual arrangement overall? ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/19 "2013-07-08T05:43:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Well, I didn’t mean just that recently. Your system has been what it is since Reconstruction, and there have been many governors and lieutenant governors. What has been the general public opinion of or satisfaction with this highly unusual arrangement overall? Most people have no idea. It doesn’t involve football. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685/20 "2013-07-08T11:36:01Z")
I’m honestly surprised that Texas hasn’t renamed the positions President and Vice-President. That seems to be Texas way of thinking. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy-davis-for-governor-of-texas/662685.md?page=2)