If Texas State Senator Wendy Davis (D) and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro (D) run for office in 2014 and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2016, the Lone Star State could be on the brink of a political revolution. The potential for a female Texas governor and a female president of the United States could be a watershed moment for women across the nation. Moreover, it could be a sign of hope for Hispanics in Texas, who have faced the indignity of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s (R) attempts to undermine their voting rights, as well as the Republican Party’s opposition to fair immigration reform.There is a strong likelihood that Hillary Clinton will run for president and a good chance that Wendy Davis will run for governor of Texas in 2014. It is currently uncertain whether Julian Castro will run for a statewide office in the same year, though this could change.
If Castro does not decide to run, it is likely that prominent Texas Democrats will seek to recruit a high-profile Hispanic candidate to take his place. Castro should take this opportunity and not miss the train as it leaves the station, as others may be willing to seize the moment if he does not.
There is one great misunderstanding about the Texas blue movement. Obviously, the great demographic wave of the Hispanic population is on the brink of transforming Texas politics. This is why the Supreme Court moved backward on voting rights. Texas Attorney General and probable Republican nominee for governor Abbott was happier than a bug in a bakery when the voting rights act was struck down, and he has been cycling faster than Lance Armstrong to launch new violations of the voting rights act against Texas Hispanics.However, Abbott’s hostility toward Hispanic voting rights and fair Hispanic representation will only energize the Hispanic political community behind Davis and Castro or, if Castro takes a pass, behind a similar candidate I will discuss later.
Hispanic voters are an important part of the political landscape in Texas, and their voices need to be heard. However, they are not the only group of voters that matters. The rise of women in politics has come to Texas, and I am proud to support Wendy Davis. She is a woman of courage and talent, and I know she will make a difference in our state.
Do not underestimate the degree that Davis is a tough lady and a smart cookie. As smoothie Democrats from other states try to use her to raise money for purposes other than electing Texas Democrats, trust me, Wendy will do the Lone Star State proud.
Here is the math: For Texas to go blue, Texas Democrats need to maintain the traditional Texas Democratic vote and add more registration, enthusiasm and turnout from three groups to get them to 50 percent plus 1. They are Hispanics, women, and young voters.
With powerful and compelling statewide candidates such as Davis, Castro and other prominent Democrats to be named later, it is not hard to envision a nice bump above the average Texas Democratic vote. Texas Republicans would be unwise to continue their war against women by forcing the closure of health clinics that serve women and brazenly attacking voting rights for Hispanic Texans while their GOP friends in Washington declare blood feuds against fair immigration.
Meanwhile, my guess is that Team Clinton, led by Hillary, will go all-in to help Davis if she runs. I know some major Clinton donors who tell me privately (for now) that they have checkbook in hand.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Ms. Davis talks to Ms. Clinton, which has probably already happened, but such matters are above my pay grade (wink).
The smart move for Team Obama, and the president himself, would be to go privately all-in for Davis, raising big money and extending her an open door, for any purpose, for the duration of the Obama presidency.
The potential for Democratic operatives to benefit financially is a noteworthy consequence of a potential Wendy campaign, should she and former President Obama join forces with the Clintons to raise money for victory. This could be a lucrative opportunity for those who seek a luxurious lifestyle.
