COMMENTARY: W. GARDNER SELBY
Selby: Will Perry play it safe on secretary of state pick?
Options include elevation of a Latino or African American - or maybe Kinky
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Gov. Rick Perry has a high-profile job to fill and, far as I can tell, hasn't found a favorite.
Don't rush to apply, though.
[an error occurred while processing this directive] |
Unless he breaks with history, Perry isn't likely to give the job to just anybody. The post of secretary of state, which pays up to $117,516, amounts to a political plum — meaning only a select few have a shot.
Official duties include supervising elections, accepting corporate filings and representing the state abroad or when dignitaries visit. Unofficially, the secretary doubles as a gubernatorial adviser and sometimes winds up in elected office. Former Gov. Mark White and the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock each counted votes for the state before chasing votes for themselves.
Secretary of State Phil Wilson took a private-sector job this month. His resignation after a year surprised Perry, who had trusted Wilson to oversee economic development, including whether to give companies state money for committing to create jobs.
Wilson, a former aide to then-U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, memorably suggested last year that Texas sell its state lottery to a private bidder. The proposal foundered with lawmakers, but it could resurface if the state needs to raise money without a tax hike in 2009 or 2011.
Ticklish note: Wilson's successor stands to preside over the Texas House in January when members elect their speaker. Democrats hope to reduce the GOP's eight-seat majority in the 150-member body in November's elections. Any shrinkage in the gap could fuel a House battle between three-term Speaker Tom Craddick and challengers; woe be to the secretary trying to manage that.
Maybe most significantly, Perry's pick could underscore how he wants to be remembered as the second governor of the 21st century.
I figure he's got three options.
Safe: Retain an economic development professional who fits in Wilson's footsteps.
One prospect has come and gone. Guy Diedrich, vice chancellor for technology commercialization at the Texas A&M University System, talked to Perry's advisers before concluding he fits where he is.
• Safer: Reward an ally who doesn't rock the boat. Most of Perry's five secretaries since 2001 were steady cheerleaders, including businessmen Roger Williams and Geoff Connor and former state Rep. Gwen Shea.
• Less safe, but mindful of the office as a launch pad: Tap a non-Anglo Texan with political promise. The most recent African American secretary of state was Ron Kirk, who served under Gov. Ann Richards in 1994-95 before winning election as mayor of Dallas. The last Latino secretary was Henry Cuellar, Perry's secretary through 2001; he's a congressman from Laredo.
Two of Perry's former deputy secretaries of state, lobbyist Luis Saenz and Buddy Garcia, a Perry appointee to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, could bloom in the top spot. Garcia told me he's obligated to stay where he is. Saenz declined to comment.
Among African Americans, the current deputy secretary, Coby Shorter, might draw Perry's eye. Or Brian Newby, Perry's chief of staff, might move, like Wilson before him.
Other names bandied around include Perry backer Nyle Maxwell, the car dealer and former Round Rock mayor, who's open to the possibility; Robert Howden, a former Perry aide who has made it clear he's always glad to serve; and James Oberwetter, a Dallas businessman, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and one-time press secretary to then-U.S. Rep. George H.W. Bush of Houston.
Perry, who hasn't come close to reaching a choice, "will always look for the best available individual," spokesman Robert Black said.
Kinky Friedman, come on down?
wgselby@statesman.com; 445-3644
