Speculative Candidates Bid On Branch’s District 108 Seat
Political dominoes started falling once Rick Perry announced that he wouldn’t run for governor again. On Sunday, Greg Abbott announced he would run for the governorship, freeing up his own attorney general spot.
Although State Rep. Dan Branch had not made an official statement at press time, he is widely rumored to have his eye on Abbott’s spot. Candidates are already lining up to run for Branch’s District 108 position, should it become available, and with semi-annual finance reports filed Monday, the race is beginning to take shape.
Morgan Meyer, a 38-year-old equity partner at Bracewell & Giuliani, is one of three potential candidates.
Meyer worked odd jobs to supplement an academic scholarship at SMU before obtaining a law degree from Washington and Lee University. Meyer said he first became interested in politics in 1992, when he volunteered at the Republican National Convention.
Meyer and his wife Keana, a part-time model, live in University Park with their three young children.
Because Meyer filed the report appointing his campaign treasurer on July 1, he will not owe a finance report until January 14, said Texas Ethics Commission special counsel Natalia Ashley.
Chart Westcott, a 28-year-old Highland Park native with a law degree from SMU, filed his report four days early.
In 45 days, from May 14 to June 30, his campaign raised $736,559.75. Though the numbers were released, Westcott has not yet made a formal announcement regarding his candidacy.
“Obviously, I am humbled and gratified by this tremendous level of response to my potential candidacy,” Westcott said in a statement.
Backers include Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Gerald Ford, and Nancy Dedman.
Court Alley, who works as executive director of political action committee Brighter Dallas, also has his eye on the seat. His campaign reported $17,2000 raised during the first half of the year.
Michelle Saunders contributed to this story.
She is a model? Of what? Why would you even claim to be one? Not very honest.
I don’t see a quote where there was a “claim to be one”, I see a reporter writing about the facts. Before you take issue with someone’s honesty, please do a little more research. Follow this link, and you will see she is in fact with the Kim Dawson Agency – http://www.kimdawsonagency.com/models/women/all/307
The above commenter is not me, stole my moniker. Feel free to do a little more research and make up your own…
Ok. Let me explain.
She is a model? That means I am surprised as she doesn’t seem to look like one. No big deal just surprised.
Of what? Just because you are with an agency does not mean you represent a product or have work. So maybe you can send a link of actual work.
Claim to be one? Obviously she does as I am sure they reported did some legwork for story.
Just an observation from the photograph. But thanks for the link.
This report leaves out that over $77,000 of Chart’s funding came from his dad (including 4,300 to throw a party downtown), dad’s business and family members. An additional huge sum came from out of state, mostly CA. Maybe Dan and his reporters should investigate before writing pieces.
@Ok. She says she is a model, she looks like a fashion model, she’s listed with Kim Dawson. Don’t vote for him if you don’t want to, but “not very honest” is a bad excuse.
@Park Cities Parent. If your number is correct, over $650,000, more than 90%, came from people other than family. Were he running just on his daddy’s money, that might be news. Your yard sign can say, “Don’t vote for Chart. He went to Greenhill and his rich family supports him.” But I see nothing wrong with the reporting in this blog post.
WHAT!?!! Are you saying that a 28 year old is running because of his family’s influence, connections, and money?
News flash, that’s how this town (and most others) work.
If she doesn’t look like a model, then who does?
I’ll take @Dan Koller questions for $500 Alex.
Who is Chuck Cox?
@Park Cities Parent
Court Alley’s father-in-law and his campaign treasurer combined gave 60% of his total money. 60% from 2 donors. Surprised you aren’t attacking him for so much of his money coming from his wife’s family.