Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez is reportedly considering entering the race for governor of Texas.
Valdez, a Democrat, told the Texas Tribune that she is in the "exploratory process" of making a bid for governor. Valdez says that she is considering running because she believes Texas has had Republican leadership for too long.
"Too much of one thing corrupts, and I'm a strong believer in a two-party system," Valdez told the Texas Tribune. "I'm hoping that enough people are seeing that too much one-sided is not healthy for Texas."
Valdez has served as Dallas County Sheriff, since being elected in 2004. In 2014, Valdez clashed with Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, over her department's compliance with federal immigration authorities.
If Valdez joined the race, she would face Garry Brown, an Austin resident; Tom Wakely, a San Antonio hospice owner; Cedric Davis, former mayor of Balch Springs; and Jeffrey Payne, a Dallas businessman for the Democratic nomination for governor. Houston businessman Andrew White and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) have also been speculated as potential candidates.
Filing for state office begins on November 11th and runs through December 11th.
