© 2024 Texas Public Radio
Real. Reliable. Texas Public Radio.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Thousands Gather Across Texas To Watch Davis Announce Bid For Governor

Senator Wendy R. Davis
/
Facebook

State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is now Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis as she confirmed speculation that she will run for governor in 2014.

Battleground Texas, one of Davis' strongest support groups is playing host to Davis announcement watch parties all across the state.

"We’re holding watch parties around the state and in 40 locations so that folks that can’t make to the even in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can have a chance to watch Wendy’s announcement live," said Battleground Texas’ Ellis Brockman.

The group is made up of former Obama campaign staffers who say they’ve received thousands of online RSVPs from people who can’t make it to Davis’ announcement event in Haltom City, just outside of Fort Worth.

“This capitol belongs to the people and hopefully one day we are going to return to the people of the State of Texas," Davis said on the south steps of the state capitol after the final vote of the historic abortion bill.

Hopes of Davis’ run for higher office began  slightly after her marathon filibuster against the bill and political momentum has been building ever since.

"The nation was introduced to a force that’s within our state, a force that’s going to have a lot to say about the shape that the future of Texas takes," Davis said to her Senate colleagues and the millions of people watching the capitol's live feed.

Davis first announced she was thinking about a run for governor in in July but her father's health-issues, which ultimately led to his passing, postponed that announcement.

Davis was joined by fellow Senate Democrats including Leticia Van De Putte of San Antonio, who is also contemplating her own run for higher office.

Ryan started his radio career in 2002 working for Austin’s News Radio KLBJ-AM as a show producer for the station's organic gardening shows. This slowly evolved into a role as the morning show producer and later as the group’s executive producer.