12.21.09
Ronnie Earle Files for Lt. Gov.
Needless to say this is great news, Ronnie Earle running for lieutenant governor.
Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who made a name for himself prosecuting some high-profile political figures, is rejoining the campaign fray with a bid for lieutenant governor.
After retiring last year from a 32-year tenure as district attorney, Earle filed paperwork with the Texas Democratic Party on Friday afternoon to seek the party’s nomination for the statewide office.
The winner of the Democratic primary in March will probably face Republican incumbent David Dewhurst in the fall.
Earle, 67 , had been mentioned earlier this year as a potential candidate for governor or attorney general. But he said the totality of his experience has uniquely prepared him for the lieutenant governor’s job.
“The lieutenant governor’s role in state government is central to the efficient running of state government and public confidence in their state government,” said Earle, who served in the Texas Legislature before his election as district attorney.
“We need more open and public participation in decisions that are made at the Capitol,” Earle said.
At this point, Earle is the only person who has filed for the party’s nomination, but Austin deli owner Marc Katz is still planning to run, a campaign
spokeswoman said Friday.
Labor leader Linda Chavez-Thompson is reportedly also considering a bid. She was out of the country Friday and not available for comment.
Earle is the only Democrat that has filed so far. Katz was thought to be a candidate that was only going to run if no one else did. Chavez Thompson only came on the radar last week. She has an impressive resume and can read more about her here at BOR.
EOW’s thoughts on Earle form the earlier in the year when he was discerning a run for Governor can be read here and here. Check out his website at www.ronnieearle.com.