The Case: Rafael Anchia for Governor
State Rep. Rafael Anchía has long been considered a rising star amongst Texas Democrats. Various publications have called him “one to watch outside the beltway,” “the Hispanic Obama,” and even “El Gobernador”. Yet for all the buzz around him, Anchía has so far declined to pursue higher office, instead opting to continue representing his Dallas-area district in the Texas House for over 16 years.
Perhaps Anchía was prudent to avoid statewide races. After all, talented Democratic candidates like Wendy Davis and Beto O’Rourke tried and failed. Yet the political landscape has shifted in Texas, so Anchía should take a serious look at running for governor. 2022 could be the year Anchía finally has his rendezvous with destiny.
Anchía’s previous reluctance to run for higher office could actually benefit him. Americans want reluctant politicians, it’s a tradition that goes all the way back to George Washington. Obvious ladder-climbers are frowned upon and one of the great paradoxes of American politics is that candidates must be incredibly ambitious yet cannot be perceived as such. Hence politicians go through the song and dance of saying things like “I have no plans to run” right before they announce that they’re running.
Like many potential candidates with skills and talent, Anchía was always dismissive whenever asked about plans to run for something bigger. But in his case, it wasn’t just rhetoric. People have been talking about Anchía as a potential candidate for senator or governor for over a decade, yet that entire time he chose to continue serving his district. Should Anchía finally throw his hat in the ring, he can paint himself as a candidate who is running not out of personal ambition but a sense of duty. Given Texas GOP’s string of debacles, like the recent winter storm and subsequent blackouts, Anchía can reasonably claim that he now feels compelled to finally save the state from the clutches of Greg Abbott.
Read more: https://texassignal.com/the-case-rafael-anchia-for-governor/