When Gov. Perry started asking Dallas City Hall for information…
Updated: Monday, 02 Mar 2009, 5:36 PM CST
Published : Monday, 02 Mar 2009, 11:49 AM CST
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Tom Schieffer chose Texas Independence Day to announce he plans to run for governor in 2010. The former international diplomat with close ties to former President George W. Bush is forming an exploratory committee allowing him to raise money and campaign for the office.
"I am going to travel throughout the state and hear what people have to say," said Schieffer.
Schieffer served as a Democrat in the Texas Legislature in 1972 and spent the last eight years serving as ambassador under the Bush administration.
"The only Republican I've ever contributed to is George Bush," said Schieffer. "I'm a Democrat, and I believe in what the Democratic party stands for."
Schieffer served as both ambassador to Japan and Australia between 2000 and 2008 and said his exploratory committee plans to announce his official bid for governor in a couple of months. However, Schieffer said he does not plan on putting his own money in the campaign.
"I have not started raising money yet, but I think the money will be there," he said.
Schieffer said he did not yet have concrete proposals but believes Texas needs to strengthen its educational system.
"From traveling to many other countries, I can tell you that if we don't prepare them [children] for the future, we will be a developing country."
Schieffer is the first Texan to make a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor. Both Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison have announced they plan to run in the Republican primary.
"I think if we don't plan to change the political dialogue in Texas today, we are going to face the consequences," he said.
Schieffer said he thinks there is an opportunity for a Democrat to be governor more now than there was in the past.
"I think if you don't run, you've got no chance," said Schieffer.
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