State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, is set to run for land commissioner, according to two sources familiar with the decision who are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Buckingham has made calls to potential supporters sharing her decision, the sources said. A Buckingham spokesperson, Matt Langston, said she was “seriously considering” running and would make an announcement soon.

The news of her decision comes two days after the current land commissioner, George P. Bush, announced he was running for attorney general next year, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton.

Buckingham was first elected in 2016 to represent Senate District 24 in Central Texas. While she won a second term last year, all members of the Senate have to run for reelection in 2022 due to redistricting, so she will have to give up her seat if she runs for land commissioner.

Another Republican, Weston Martinez, announced Monday that he is running for land commissioner. Martinez is a San Antonio activist who has run twice for the Railroad Commission. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller endorsed Martinez’s bid on Friday afternoon.

Buckingham may not be the only GOP state senator who vies for land commissioner. Sen. Brandon Creighton of Conroe has been discussed as a potential candidate, and asked for comment, a spokesperson provided a statement from him that indicated his focus was still on legislative issues.

“I am officially announcing that I am ready for the special session,” Creighton said in the statement. “Let’s get an election bill passed.”

The General Land Office oversees investments that earn billions of dollars for public education. It is responsible for managing state lands, and it operates the Alamo, helps communities recovering from natural disasters and doles out benefits to Texas veterans.

 

This article was written by PATRICK SVITEK of The Texas Tribune.  The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.  This article originally appeared at: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/03/dawn-buckingham-texas-land-commissioner/

Floating Vimeo Video