Comment on Political futures to be shaped in session on display

Political futures to be shaped in session on display Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who has declared himself to be “101-percent firm on running for re-election” after his U.S. Senate loss to Ted Cruz, presided over the Texas Senate on the Legislature's opening day and cordially introduced visiting statewide elected officials who happen to be gunning for his job. Patterson has kept a higher campaign profile; Staples campaign manager Cody McGregor said, “Todd Staples is 202-percent committed to carrying forward his transparent and accountable government approach to the office of lieutenant governor in 2014.” A Republican official who discussed the matter with me on condition of anonymity said several plugged-in GOP donors have told me Abbott's assured them he's running for governor, period. “He has a gargantuan war chest, wall-to-wall establishment support, a fired-up army of grassroots activists, and among the GOP electorate, he's hands down the most beloved Republican in Texas,” said the source, whom we may all call Raisin Toast in a bow to Bearse's objections. The political spectacle was a reminder that this session's policy discussions will shape the political futures of officeholders, many who have been in a years-long holding pattern as Perry has become Texas' longest-serving governor. The Senate itself has potential candidates such as Sen.