AUSTIN, Texas — A dozen years ago, the last Texas governor to run for president began a new term being coy about his White House ambitions.
But Rick Perry had a new book out, was crisscrossing the country and sprinted into that year’s legislative session quickly declaring as emergency items a ban on sanctuary cities and limits on government condemnation of privately owned land. Most players in Austin believed Perry was running for president. He announced nearly seven months later.
On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott dropped few if any hints that he’s doing the same. The third-term Republican governor signaled few ambitions beyond trying to have a successful session. Abbott aides have discouraged speculation that he’ll begin traveling to early presidential primary states, to test the waters — at least, not while the Legislature’s at work. The just-launched session ends May 29.
