Deirdre Gilbert/Photo by Campaign
The first official Democratic candidate for Texas Governor has filed for a spot on the 2022 election ballot in Texas.
Deirdre Gilbert filed her application to run for governor on Monday, becoming the first Democrat to officially file for Texas’ top elected office this year. According to her website, Gilbert is a career educator and native of the Houston area whose professional experience includes work with the Houston, Aldine, and Fort Bend school districts, as well as experience as a former Houston Independent School District teacher’s union representative.
Gilbert is slated to face off against former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) for the Democratic nomination for governor. O’Rourke has not yet filed for the seat.
On the Republican side, incumbent Greg Abbott is seeking re-election, and is being opposed in his primary by former Texas Republican Party chairman Allen West, former State Sen. Don Huffines, comedian Chad Prather, attorney Paul Belew, and businessman Danny Harrison.
Candidates have until Monday, December 13 to file to run for office. The primary Election Day is scheduled for March 1, 2022.