Political dominoes started falling once Rick Perry announced that he wouldn’t run for governor again. On Sunday, Greg Abbott announced he would run for the governorship, freeing up his own attorney general spot.
Although State Rep. Dan Branch had not made an official statement at press time, he is widely rumored to have his eye on Abbott’s spot. Candidates are already lining up to run for Branch’s District 108 position, should it become available, and with semi-annual finance reports filed Monday, the race is beginning to take shape.
Morgan Meyer, a 38-year-old equity partner at Bracewell & Giuliani, is one of three potential candidates.
Meyer worked odd jobs to supplement an academic scholarship at SMU before obtaining a law degree from Washington and Lee University. Meyer said he first became interested in politics in 1992, when he volunteered at the Republican National Convention.
Meyer and his wife Keana, a part-time model, live in University Park with their three young children.
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Because Meyer filed the report appointing his campaign treasurer on July 1, he will not owe a finance report until January 14, said Texas Ethics Commission special counsel Natalia Ashley.
Chart Westcott, a 28-year-old Highland Park native with a law degree from SMU, filed his report four days early.
In 45 days, from May 14 to June 30, his campaign raised $736,559.75. Though the numbers were released, Westcott has not yet made a formal announcement regarding his candidacy.
“Obviously, I am humbled and gratified by this tremendous level of response to my potential candidacy,” Westcott said in a statement.
Backers include Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Gerald Ford, and Nancy Dedman.
Court Alley, who works as executive director of political action committee Brighter Dallas, also has his eye on the seat. His campaign reported $17,2000 raised during the first half of the year.
Michelle Saunders contributed to this story.
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