(CNN) - The crowded field of GOP Senate candidates in Texas may soon add one more hopeful to the mix: ESPN broadcaster Craig James.
The sports network announced on Friday it granted a short-term leave of absence for the college football analyst as he considers a Senate run just days before the Lone Star State's filing deadline on Monday.
"Craig requested to be taken off Tuesday's game as he considers his decision," said ESPN spokesman Michael Humes, referring to the Beef O'Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg.
The Senate race in Texas is already underway, as several contenders hope to fill the seat to be vacated by GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2012.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, former solicitor general Ted Cruz, and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert are among the Republican contenders vying for the seat, with some already having raised millions for their campaign war chests.
James, a former running back at Southern Methodist University, lives in Celina, Texas and serves as a board member for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank in Austin.
On Friday, the state's Republican and Democratic parties reached and agreement to move the state's primary to April 3, but the proposal awaits approval by an U.S. District Court three-judge panel in San Antonio.
The state's Republican primary was originally set for March 6.
Also see:
Gingrich 'editing' his words as campaign acknowledges concern
Bachmann camp: Gingrich morphs positions based on 'who's paying'
From CNN Politics
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Well at least we know James is smarter than the governor. Make that the last two governors.
The first thing he will do is appt his son to a post. Don't count on tech votes. His hubris is off the charts.
1/2 of the poney express... i hope know one ask about the smu football days slush fund..
LOL! It figures that one of the most hated men in sportscasting would decide to run as a member of the GOBP deathcult.
Wow, an ex-Patriot running back looking to jump into the political swamp. Good luck Craig! Put your pads back on because it is full contact in politics as well.
>It figures that one of the most hated men in sportscasting
LOL.... And just why would ANYBODY hate a sportscaster??!!! Did he call your team a bunch of sissy losers? hahahaha.... You guys crack me up. A real joke a minute club in here....
That guy is a giant D-bag. He got Mike Leach fired for not playing his son more. He also has the taint of the slush fund at SMU which paid players. Ego-maniac. He may make a good politician after all.
His influence screwed up TT football. He was involved in the SMU scandal years ago and he's as arrogant as they come. Unfortunately, he sounds like the sterotypical political candidate!!
Well, you know he's going to win: it's TX, he's a former football player, and he's a board member for a conservative think tank(an oxymoron), so he needs no further qualifications. Certainly he can't be any more brain-damaged than the average TX GOP member of Congress(exhibit Louie Goehmert), but I do hope he at least wore his helmet when he played at that clean ole' program at SMU. Hope he does not want to sit on any ethics committees.
I went to SMU with Craig and he was smart, articulate and outgoing. He would get my vote!
He's one of the most hated men in the Great State of Texas. If he decides to give up his cushy job at ESPN, he can be counted as one of the stupidest men in the GST, which says a lot considering Rick Perry lives here.
" I went to SMU with Craig and he was smart, articulate and outgoing. He would get my vote!"
*************************
Smart, articulate, and outgoing could describe half the people I know: is there something more to your endorsement, or are you really that shallow?
Yo, Truth, notice how a lot of people already seem to know more about James than you?
He crazy for running as a republican we dont need any more republicans in the office.
My little brother played Pee Wee football with him. My brother grew up to be a Doctor that cares about people...Craig cares about Craig.