2010: Running Lite

David Dewhurst will seek reelection on the Republican side, effectively ending that party's primary for lieutenant governor. But the Democrats are still stirring the pot. Ronnie Earle, the former Travis County DA is in. As of earlier today, Austin restauranteur Marc Katz is in (saying he'll spend "in the millions" on the race and teasing the incumbent with references to a possible new menu item: "The Davey Dewhurst sandwich is very starched, very white bread stuffed with baloney").

Earle's well known in Austin, but not elsewhere. Katz is a newbie. Some Democrats are still watching the wings, wondering, in particular, whether labor leader Linda Chavez-Thompson of San Antonio will get into the race. She would fill a number of holes on the Democratic ticket — if she were to file, and if she prevailed in the March 2 primary. Labor is an important constituency. Women are, too (Barbara Ann Radnofsky, running for AG, is the only female on that party's ballots so far). Hispanic voters are critical to Democratic political health in Texas.

Monday's the deadline for filing. Oh, and campaign finance reports aren't due until January 15, but Katz said he'll announce his family's contributions to the campaign on Friday. How much? "In the millions," he told reporters.