Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush is reportedly considering a bid for Texas Attorney General in 2022, an office currently held by embattled incumbent Republican Ken Paxton.
In an article published in Texas Scorecard, Bush campaign spokesman Ash Wright told reporters Bush is considering making a bid to lead the Attorney General’s office in 2022.
“Several donors have asked Commissioner Bush to consider running for Attorney General in 2022 in light of the recent allegations about that office. Commissioner Bush has always said he will ‘keep all options open,’ and that remains his policy,” Wright said. “Like many conservative leaders around the state, he is very concerned about these allegations regarding Paxton.”
The move comes as incumbent Ken Paxton is facing a series of questions related to allegations of abuse of office, and other wrongdoings by his former staffers. Paxton has denied the allegations, claiming the staffers making the allegations are “rogue employees.” A spokesman for Paxton has told the Texas Tribune that the incumbent intends on seeking a third term in office.
Bush, the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, was first elected to his job in 2014, defeating Democrat John Cook with 61 percent of the vote. In 2014, Bush fended off a hard-fought primary challenge from his predecessor, Jerry Patterson, and went on to defeat Democrat Miguel Suazo and Libertarian Matt Pina in the general election.