McALLEN, October 23 - San Antonio-based attorney Mikal Watts will announce this morning that he is pulling out of the race for U.S. Senate, the Guardian has learned.Watts, a Democrat, made calls to close supporters early this morning to explain his decision. He cited family reasons.
One of those Watts called was state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, one of the first lawmakers to endorse him.
“Mikal called this morning, around 7 a.m., and told me he was pulling out of the race. He cited family reasons,” Hinojosa said. “Mikal is very close to his kids and he has never held public office before. It can take a lot out of you."
After he didn't appear at the Harris County Democratic Party's Johnson-Rayburn-Richards dinner this past weekend -- having previously paid $10,000 for the privilege of introducing the keynoter, D-Trip-C head Rahm Emanuel -- rumors began to fly that he was considering ending his exploratory campaign. Apparently those rumors are accurate.
This blog has been harsh on Watts' senatorial bid. In the wake of his announcement today that stops his run for the US Senate, let me say to Mr. Watts: thank you for standing for public office. And I wish you would consider a judicial slot; we need better judges on the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals, and you would be a fine candidate for either of those.
