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Media Reports: Wendy Davis Plans To Run For Texas Governor

State Senator Wendy Davis
Wendy Davis campaign
/
KERA News
Wendy Davis plans to run for governor, The Associated Press reports.

She’s in.

Texas Sen. Wendy Davis plans to run for governor. That’s according to The Associated Press, citing sources familiar with her plans.

There’s been plenty of speculation in recent weeks.

State Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa told KERA’s Shelley Kofler last week that he thought she would run.

While lots of state Democrats are pushing for her to run, Republicans have said they don’t think she stands a chance. Political analysts question her chances, too. It’s been almost two decades since a Democrat has held a statewide seat in Texas, and analysts have said they don’t think that Davis can alter that trend.

Over the summer, Davis' 11-hour filibuster of a bill that would ban most abortions in Texas rocketed her to national fame. Hundreds opposed to the bill packed the capital to "stand with Wendy," a phrase they chanted throughout her filibuster. When Republicans tried to shut down her filibuster, the crowd cut loose, causing so much disruption the bill died.  Though it would be passed in a later session, Davis secured her spot in the national spotlight.

In a recent email to friends, the Fort Worth Democrat urged supporters to encourage others to use social media to sign up for an early announcement of her political plans.

Attorney General Greg Abbott and Former Texas Republican Party Chair Tom Pauken are already campaigning for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Davis delayed her decision so she could be with herailing father, Jerry Russell,who died earlier this month.

Eric Aasen is KERA’s managing editor. He helps lead the station's news department, including radio and digital reporters, producers and newscasters. He also oversees keranews.org, the station’s news website, and manages the station's digital news projects. He reports and writes stories for the website and contributes pieces to KERA radio. He's discussed breaking news live on various public radio programs, including The Takeaway, Here & Now and Texas Standard, as well as radio and TV programs in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.