Wendy Davis files for Texas governor
(CNN) - Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis’s formal Texas gubernatorial campaign kicked off with the filing of campaign documents Saturday, the first day she was able to do so.
According to CNN affiliate KVUE, Davis and her likely Republican opponent, state Attorney General Greg Abbott, each filed campaign paperwork in Austin.
Davis is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who has said he will not seek a fourth term. There is speculation that Perry will instead make another bid for the White House in 2016 after his 2012 campaign imploded.
The Texas Secretary of State lists November 9 as the first day for primary filing in the state, with the period running through December 9.
Davis first announced her intentions to seek the governor’s office at the beginning of October.
"All of you deserve to have your voices heard. Because our future is brightest when it's lit by everyone's star," Davis said at the time. "That's why today, I am proud to announce my candidacy to be the 48th governor of this great state."
Davis is riding a wave of liberal popularity after her June filibuster against a Texas abortion bill gained national attention. Davis managed to temporarily block passage of the law that later passed in a special session and is currently facing a legal challenge.
Davis has so far established her campaign based around issues such as accessible health care and education.
Her opponent has built a reputation as a staunch conservative. First elected Attorney General in 2002, Abbott has defended socially conservative causes during his tenure. These include pushing for the display of a Ten Commandments monument of the grounds of the Texas Capitol in 2005.
Abbott also has sued the Obama administration more than 25 times, including the case that led to the landmark Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, last year.
Despite her name recognition, Davis faces an uphill battle for the governorship in a deep red state Mitt Romney carried 57% in 2012 to President Barack Obama’s 41%. No Democrat has won the state’s highest office since Ann Richards did so in 1990.
8 things Wendy Davis has going for her in Texas governor's race
–CNN's Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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Hope she wins big. She will bring salvation from the Tea Party radicals who have lost their minds to Satan. God Bless Wendy and the people of Texas. Let the GOP burn in hell.
She should win but Texas is full of dumb rednecks heck they elected Rick Perry Wow!! He showed how big of an idiot he was!
I like Wendy and plan to put my money where my mouth is. I am tired of Texas having a joke for governor.
It would be a sad day in our state if she were to win....
The southern part of the US is one of the most backward, bigoted, ignorant place in the entire world. Unfortunately, they put crazies like Rick Perry in the office but I don't think that this lady has a chance despite her intelligence and her desire to pull Texas out of the bronze age.
Increased Hispanic registration is likely to turn TX blue by 2020. Could it be by 2016? by 2014?
Si se puede.
So her opponent, Gregg Abbott wanted to put a monument of the Ten Commandments in front of the Texas Capitol... I would think that a monument of the Encyclopedia Britannica would be far preferable...
What a biased article. It could've said "Davis, Abbot file to be next Texas gov." But I guess that would be too fair of coverage for CNN.
excellent
yay!
Rick Perry ran for the White House in 2008? I'm curious to know why CNN was sitting on that one for so long. We all thought he ran in 2012.
With all that said....GO DAVIS!!
Wendy! You rock and you have this Texan's vote!
There might be some hope for Texas yet! So far texas is not known for making good decisions about polihticians.
I thought she was running for Governor of Houston? ...that's what Molly said...and like so may !diot Americans nowadays, I get all my thoughts from Hollywood Libs...(smh)
I know she has my vote. I'm sick of the GOP using their religion to make decisions for me. Perry is an idiot and I can't wait to fight for Davis
Perry can never win the Presidential race.
She's the best thing I've seen come out of Texas in my 40 years
Who knows. The libs seem to have cheating down to a science. Multiple voting, the dead voting, illegals voting, votes changing or disappearing/not being counted. They know they only have to get control of a few counties to make everything go their way. We just saw this. And unfortunately the right is so ball-less, and so busy attacking the patriots, they do nothing about it,
She has no chance
Come on, it's the "People's 'Murican 'Public of Texas". What chance does she have there.
Maybe Texas wouldn't be such an embarrassment to the nation if someone sane were in the Governor's mansion.
By "sane" I mean someone that is not Rick Perry.
This woman will appeal to the most intelligent 50% of the Texas population. And some of the guys too.
Who cares? This barbaric loser's only claim to fame is lobbying for a woman's right to murder her 20 week or older unborn child for any reason of her choosing.
Who cares? This barbaric loser's only claim to fame is lobbying for a woman's right to murder her unborn 20 week or older unborn child for any reason of her choosing.
Waste of time and money