In rapid succession this morning, Railroad Commissioner David Porter and Rep. Elliott Naishtat announced they were withdrawing from their respective races.
Rep. Elliott Naishtat
Commissioner David Porter
In a statement, Porter said he would “focus on my family and my return to the private sector.” Austin attorney John Greytok and Richmond real estate investor Gary Gates have already filed for the race, and Cypress engineer Ron Hale has been actively campaigning.
With Porter’s withdrawal, former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said he would decide by the end of Friday whether he would enter the race. Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) is also considering the race.
Naishtat’s decision represents a reversal from yesterday, when he told the Austin American-Statesman’s Sean Walsh that he was indeed running. Several candidates are known to be considering the race now that Naishtat is out, including Austin council member Ann Kitchen, AISD president Gina Hinojosa, legislative aide Huey Ray Fischer and political consultant Katie Naranjo. Others will no doubt also enter the race.
