First, he should stop saying that he’s running for office but hasn’t made up his mind about which one. It makes him sound like a dilettante: someone who thinks he’s God’s gift to Texas politics, instead of a serious politician. He is leaning toward running for Land Commissioner, which would be a mistake. It’s an obscure office with a limited jurisdiction and few opportunities to be noticed. Dewhurst used it as a springboard to lieutenant governor, but he had the money to do it. (Patterson hasn’t been able to raise money from that office, but maybe P. assumes that money won’t be a problem.)
I think the answer is obvious: P. should run for comptroller in 2014. Combs, the incumbent, has had a terrible record, including a major data breach and an inability to get revenue estimates right. The comptroller has real power, and the office is badly in need of competent management.
