Former Texas state lawmaker Wendy Davis will run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, she announced Thursday night at a Texas Observer award gala.
Davis, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014, had floated the idea of challenging Republican congressman Chip Roy in Texas's 21st Congressional District. She announced her decision to run on Thursday night, according to the many journalists in attendance at the event.
"At Texas Observer gala and it was just announced that Wendy Davis is running against Chip Roy," wrote Forrest Wilder, politics editor at Texas Monthly. Many others confirmed the news.
At @TexasObserver gala and it was just announced that @wendydavis is running against @chiproytx.
— Forrest Wilder (@Forrest4Trees) June 7, 2019
Just spoke with @wendydavis at the @TexasObserver Molly Awards Dinner. She says she’s not announced any challenge to @chiproytx, will be ready to confirm her future plans in about 3 weeks. #txlege
— Lauren McGaughy (@lmcgaughy) June 7, 2019
Roy, a former federal prosecutor who was also chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), is currently serving his first term in Congress. He won his first election last November by just under 3 percentage points.
Davis was viewed as a rising star in Texas after she garnered national attention with a filibuster to block abortion legislation in the state legislature. The attention didn't translate into electoral success, as she was crushed in her 2014 run for governor by more than 20 points.
Davis fell on hard times after her election defeat and decided to sell her Fort Worth home and hold an estate sale for her personal belongings. The Washington Free Beacon purchased the same Mizuno sneakers she wore during her filibuster, as well as a copy of her audio book, in 2016.
Republicans were not concerned about the Thursday campaign announcement from Davis. Asked for his reaction to Davis's run, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman said only, "Congratulations to Rep. Chip Roy on his reelection!"