Garza Not Running For Governor In 2010

The Chron has it via AP that Tony Garza won't be running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. There was a story or two about him in June wondering what he was up to lately, and last week it got out that he might have been thinking about gearing up for a run, but he has killed the rumor. That more or less leaves Hutchison and Dewhurst as the likeliest contenders on the GOP side, although Perry might want to stick around. Official statement below the jump.

From Postcards from the Lege:

“Last week’s round of stories mentioning me among the ‘possibilities’ of those seeking the Republication nomination for the office of Governor of Texas in 2010 was flattering, but off the mark.

“I love Texas and have enjoyed serving it both at home and abroad. But the fact is, I’m not running.

“Why this statement now? I have read the stories and known for some time that seeking the nomination in 2010 was not something I was going to do. I would prefer not to have that sort of speculation detracting in any way from the important work that is still to be done here in Mexico.

“I intend to continue serving as Ambassador to Mexico as long as the President has confidence in my abilities and doing so furthers this most important, and indeed unique, bilateral relationship.

“The immense satisfaction that I have felt as Cameron County Judge, the Secretary of State of Texas, Railroad Commissioner of Texas, and now U.S. Ambassador to Mexico is something that I feel only service brings.

“Over the course of the past 20 years, I have seen many people whose names have never appeared on a ballot - and yet, they have served our state and their communities with a decency and quiet dignity that I admire. This is what I would like to do when my tenure as Ambassador is complete: be one of those Texans who stand outside the political arena but who continue to serve and make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Begs the question, though: what would he do if he is replaced as ambassador to Mexico by a Democratic president in 2009?