Making sense of the crowded race for Texas governor

At least 10 contenders have announced they want to be the next governor of Texas, and no one knows the candidates, the issues - or public opinion - better than SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson.

Texas flag

It's still three months to the filing deadline for a place on the Texas ballot and there's already 10 candidates who want to be in the state's highest office next term, including the incumbent, a U.S. senator, a country musician and a former ambassador to Japan.

Political Science Professor Cal JillsonNo one is better at explaining the issues and subtleties of the race for the governor's mansion than SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson.

Recent comments by Jillson:

  • The Austin American-Statesman: "She (U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison) was back in the state full time and moving systematically throughout the state and giving voters a reason to think about her again. If the announcement tour gave her an advantage, I would recommend more of it — more active campaigning in the state."
  • The Dallas Morning News: "When she (U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison) looks at the health care debate, she just doesn't see how you can really turn that to advantage in a governor's race in Texas. I think she's deciding she has better ways to spend her time."
  • The Houston Chronicle: "I think that we can be quite certain that the governor will resolve this conflict in favor of his short-term political needs." (Regarding Gov. Rick Perry's proposal to put National Guard troops on the border with Mexico to enhance security.)