With the 2020 general election already underway, most Texas Republicans are working on getting out the vote for President Donald Trump and other GOP candidates.
However, rumors are swirling around the Texas Capitol that one prominent official is busy plotting his next campaign.
According a source close to the governor, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush intends to campaign for Texas Attorney General in the 2022 Republican primary election, following allegations of unlawful activity concerning incumbent Ken Paxton. Other individuals have corroborated Bush’s decision to seek the position, though many noted this is a change for Bush, who had previously planned on challenging Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Texas Scorecard reached out to Bush’s office for comment on the ongoing rumors. Campaign spokesman Ash Wright did not deny the rumors, instead saying the commissioner is indeed considering a run.
“Several donors have asked Commissioner Bush to consider running for Attorney General in 2022 in light of the recent allegations about that office. Commissioner Bush has always said he will ‘keep all options open,’ and that remains his policy,” said Wright. “Like many conservative leaders around the state, he is very concerned about these allegations regarding Paxton.”
A member of the Bush political dynasty, George P. Bush is the son of former Florida governor and former presidential hopeful Jeb Bush and the grandson of former president George H.W. Bush. He is also the only Bush to currently hold political office.
Bush was elected land commissioner in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 despite opposition in the Republican primary.
During his time in office, Bush has repeatedly stoked the ire of grassroots conservatives over his plans to “reimagine the Alamo” and move the Alamo Cenotaph—measures that were ultimately defeated by citizen actions.
The decision to mount a campaign for Texas Attorney General comes just a few weeks after a number of incumbent Ken Paxton’s lieutenants alleged he violated the law and announced their intent to work with law enforcement to hold him accountable. Paxton, meanwhile, alleges it was his employees who were in the wrong.
A full review of what facts have come to light regarding Paxton and his staff can be viewed here.
