Strayhorn for Governor?

The Statesman sees another sign that Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn is planning to run for Governor in 2006.

Strayhorn on Tuesday rehired longtime political operative Mark Sanders for more than $120,000 a year to oversee her public relations and press office.

When last we saw Sanders, he was the attack dog for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez. Sanders spent most of 2002 unsuccessfully trying to convince Texans that Perry was, in Sanders' own words, a liar, a hypocrite and a lapdog for big insurance.

[...]

Sanders, a former reporter, had worked for various Republican officeholders, including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, before his first stint with Strayhorn from 1999 to 2002. He then worked for Sanchez in a race that was widely regarded as among the nastiest and most negative in Texas history.

Too bad Sanders oversaw such a crappy campaign. Tony Sanchez got off to a decent start, but in the end there was nothing but mushmouthed slogans, attack ads, and an ineffective get-out-the-vote effort. Strayhorn will need a lot more than that if she wants Perry's job.

UPDATE: Via Ginger, I see that Perry's none too pleased about Sen. Hutchison auditioning for his job.

Asked about the Park Cities editorial at a news conference Tuesday, he said he is not thinking yet about the 2006 primary.

As for Hutchison, he said, "I think the senator is doing a great job as the senior senator of the state of Texas and I have an idea that we need that kind of leadership in Washington, D.C."

Translation: "Jeebus, if she runs for Governor I'll have to get a real job!"

Posted by Charles Kuffner on September 03, 2003 to Show Business for Ugly People | TrackBack