Democrats Label Texas Governor’s Race “Key Target,” But Struggle To Recruit A Candidate

Texas Democrats, facing long odds to compete in the 2018 gubernatorial election, still can’t find anyone to run. Despite pleas from Democrats around the state, Rep. Joaquin Castro doubled-down on his refusal to run this week, telling the Austin American-Statesman that he plans to run for re-election to the House. The Democratic Governors Association has labeled the Texas governor’s race as “key target,” but remain unable to recruit a serious challenger.

The Austin American-Statesman reports:

“Last week, Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa seemed to stir the ashes of hopes that Joaquín Castro might run for governor in 2018…

‘The chairman is a great friend and has worked really hard building up the Democratic Party over the last few years and I’m very appreciative of his work,’ Castro said.

Have you ruled out a run for governor?

‘My plan is to run for re-election,’ replied Castro…”

Without Castro entering the race, Democrats in Texas failed recruitment efforts are severely lagging as they struggle to find a single gubernatorial candidate willing to run in 2018.