Texas Weekly 10/28/2009

Ross Ramsey

Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas is dropping out of the race for attorney general. Texas Supreme Court Justice Dale Wainwright, who's been looking at the job, doesn't have time to raise the money to outrun former Solicitor General Ted Cruz. The GOP primary for that job is lining up.

Body:

It's not clear yet that AG Greg Abbott is stepping aside next year, but if he does, Cruz appears to have the advantage in next year's contest.

Branch is out of the race as of Thursday (his announcement is posted at the bottom of this story). But Cruz has been busy raising money and locking up support that would otherwise go to another Republican. Wainwright, who'd have to leave the Texas Supreme Court to run for the AG job, would have about four months left to raise the money and pull together a competitive campaign against a guy who had almost $1 million at mid-year. Wainwright had $48,528.41 in the bank at the end of June.

Branch, who had $1.1 million on hand at mid-year, found himself on shifting sands. While he and others waited to see whether Kay Bailey Hutchison would resign from the Senate and start the chain reaction that could open the AG's seat, other Republicans were lining up to run for his Dallas House seat. Hutchison said earlier in the summer that she would leave in October or November, but more recently wrote to supporters saying she'll remain in the Senate while the health insurance fight is going on. Branch, watching the candidates growing larger in his rearview mirror, opted out of the uncertain AG's race and will seek a fifth term in the House.

That'll save Cruz some money, especially if Wainwright and other Republicans decide not to play.

Branch's announcement:

BRANCH SEEKS REELECTION TO TEXAS HOUSE

Campaign to focus on economic & education agenda

DALLAS, TX – Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas) today announced that he will seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives for District 108.

“Our economy and our educational systems face tough challenges,” Branch said. “I’m running for reelection because I want to continue my work to make Texas the higher learning and research powerhouse our future economy will demand. Our campaign will offer thoughtful solutions that build on a record of results, and reflect my vision for an effective and limited state government.”

This session, Rep. Branch led the successful efforts to develop more Tier One universities in Texas, reform the Top 10% college admissions law, limit cell phone use in active school zones and provide more interactive technology in public school classrooms. His legislative efforts earned him high marks from Texas Monthly, The Dallas Morning News and Austin American-Statesman; Capitol Inside listed Branch among its Best of the Texas Legislature.

House Speaker, Joe Straus, said, “I’m very pleased that Dan has decided to run for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. He is a real leader in the House whose hard work made a profound impact on the state as our Higher Education Chair this session, and I am confident he will not only hold his seat, but help us expand the Republican majority in 2010.”

Rep. Branch is the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, a member of the Legislative Budget Board, and serves on the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee. This year, he was elected by his House colleagues in North Texas to lead the Dallas Area Legislative Delegation. Prior to this session, he chaired a select committee on education finance, and served on the House Appropriations, Public Education and Calendars Committees.

Earlier this year, Rep. Branch received widespread support to run for Texas Attorney General in 2010. “I’m grateful for the broad encouragement to run statewide,” Branch said. “While the prospects for a successful run looked good, with only a month to go now until filing, the prospect of an open seat appears unlikely.”

Before his 2002 election to the Texas House, Branch served as President of The Dallas Assembly and as Chairman of the Texas Public Finance Authority. Rep. Branch is a shareholder of Winstead PC. He and his wife, Stacey, have five children and have lived and worked in District 108, the central Dallas area, for 25 years.

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Cruz control

October 28, 2009 Ross Ramsey Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas is dropping out of the race for attorney general. Texas Supreme Court Justice Dale Wainwright, who's been looking at the job, doesn't have time to raise the money to outrun former Solicitor General Ted Cruz. The GOP primary for that job is lining up. Body: It's not clear yet that AG Greg Abbott is stepping aside next year, but if he does, Cruz appears to have the advantage in next year's contest. Branch is out of the race as of Thursday (his announcement is posted at the bottom of this story). But Cruz has been busy raising money and locking up support that would otherwise go to another Republican. Wainwright, who'd have to leave the Texas Supreme Court to run for the AG job, would have about four months left to raise the money and pull together a competitive campaign against a guy who had almost $1 million at mid-year. Wainwright had $48,528.41 in the bank at the end of June. Branch, who had $1.1 million on hand at mid-year, found himself on shifting sands. While he and others waited to see whether Kay Bailey Hutchison would resign from the Senate and start the chain reaction that could open the AG's seat, other Republicans were lining up to run for his Dallas House seat. Hutchison said earlier in the summer that she would leave in October or November, but more recently wrote to supporters saying she'll remain in the Senate while the health insurance fight is going on. Branch, watching the candidates growing larger in his rearview mirror, opted out of the uncertain AG's race and will seek a fifth term in the House. That'll save Cruz some money, especially if Wainwright and other Republicans decide not to play. Branch's announcement: BRANCH SEEKS REELECTION TO TEXAS HOUSE Campaign to focus on economic & education agenda DALLAS, TX – Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas) today announced that he will seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives for District 108. “Our economy and our educational systems face tough challenges,” Branch said. “I’m running for reelection because I want to continue my work to make Texas the higher learning and research powerhouse our future economy will demand. Our campaign will offer thoughtful solutions that build on a record of results, and reflect my vision for an effective and limited state government.” This session, Rep. Branch led the successful efforts to develop more Tier One universities in Texas, reform the Top 10% college admissions law, limit cell phone use in active school zones and provide more interactive technology in public school classrooms. His legislative efforts earned him high marks from Texas Monthly, The Dallas Morning News and Austin American-Statesman; Capitol Inside listed Branch among its Best of the Texas Legislature. House Speaker, Joe Straus, said, “I’m very pleased that Dan has decided to run for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. He is a real leader in the House whose hard work made a profound impact on the state as our Higher Education Chair this session, and I am confident he will not only hold his seat, but help us expand the Republican majority in 2010.” Rep. Branch is the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, a member of the Legislative Budget Board, and serves on the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee. This year, he was elected by his House colleagues in North Texas to lead the Dallas Area Legislative Delegation. Prior to this session, he chaired a select committee on education finance, and served on the House Appropriations, Public Education and Calendars Committees. Earlier this year, Rep. Branch received widespread support to run for Texas Attorney General in 2010. “I’m grateful for the broad encouragement to run statewide,” Branch said. “While the prospects for a successful run looked good, with only a month to go now until filing, the prospect of an open seat appears unlikely.” Before his 2002 election to the Texas House, Branch served as President of The Dallas Assembly and as Chairman of the Texas Public Finance Authority. Rep. Branch is a shareholder of Winstead PC. He and his wife, Stacey, have five children and have lived and worked in District 108, the central Dallas area, for 25 years. ### Go Back

Cruz control