Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) announced his candidacy for Texas governor on Sunday, six days after Gov. Rick Perry (R) said he would not run for reelection in 2014.
“When it comes to our freedom and our future I will never, never stop fighting,” Abbott said during an announcement in San Antonio, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “That’s why I am asking you — the people of Texas — to elect me as your next governor.”
Abbott, who became attorney general in 2002, has been eyed as a potential successor to Perry. As the Associated Press reported last week, Abbott has already raised $18 million in campaign funds, an amount that may scare off potential Republican challengers. No Democrats have entered the race yet; however, many are eyeing state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) as a potential candidate after her filibuster of a restrictive abortion bill garnered national attention.
During his announcement, Abbott spoke about the freak accident that left him partially paralyzed and required doctors to insert steel rods into his vertebrate.
“Some politicians talk about having a spine of steel," Abbott said. "I actually have one. I will use my steel spine to fight for you and every Texas family.”
Perry, who has served as the Lone Star state's governor since 2000, announced last week that he would not seek another term in the statehouse. The move has sparked further speculation that Perry will mount a presidential run in 2016, despite the failure of his 2012 bid for the Republican nomination.
"Any future considerations, I will announce in due time and I will arrive on that decision appropriately," he said of his political prospects.
Before You Go
