Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez announced Wednesday morning that she is running for governor, giving Texas Democrats a serious candidate for the top job with five days until the candidate filing deadline for the 2018 primaries.
"Like so many hardworking Texans, I know it’s tough deciding between buying food, finding a decent place to live, and setting aside money for college tuition," Valdez said in a statement. "Opportunity in Texas ought to be as big as this great state, but it is out of reach for far too many, that’s why I’m running for Texas Governor. I’m a proud Texas Democrat. I believe good government can make people’s lives better, and I intend to do just that."
Valdez's campaign said she will file for governor at 11:45 a.m. at the Texas Democratic Party headquarters in Austin.
Until Wednesday, six little-known Democrats had filed to challenge Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a second term in 2018. Andrew White, the son of late Gov. Mark White, has been exploring a run for weeks and is set to announce his campaign Thursday in Houston.
Here’s the statement the Valdez campaign campaign released Wednesday morning:After 13 years of service to the good people of Dallas County, Sheriff Valdez will seek the Democratic nomination for Texas Governor. From migrant farmworker in a humble family of eight children to U.S. Army captain, federal agent to sheriff, Valdez has dedicated her life to hard work, service, and defending Texans.
“Like so many hardworking Texans, I know it’s tough deciding between buying food, finding a decent place to live, and setting aside money for college tuition. Opportunity in Texas ought to be as big as this great state, but it is out of reach for far too many, that’s why I’m running for Texas Governor,” said Lupe Valdez. “I’m a proud Texas Democrat. I believe good government can make people’s lives better, and I intend to do just that.”
This morning, Sheriff Valdez will officially notify the Dallas County Commissioners Court of her decision to pursue the next chapter of her service and step down, initiating the process for the appointment of an interim sheriff and the primary and general election of her successor.The Texas Tribune provided this story.
