A New Campaign Team For Dewhurst Re-Election Bid

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst unveiled a campaign team heavy on national grassroots experience Wednesday as he officially announced his bid for re-election.

"As the only traditional business person elected statewide, I've been in leadership during one of the most amazing expansions of our economy in history, and I think we can go bigger and better, faster," said Dewhurst in a press release and video announcement. "Texas is number one and my mix of business experience, seasoned leadership and conservative values will help keep us there. Together, we can create opportunity as big as Texas for years to come."

His campaign manager will be Ryan Hecker, a former director of FreedomWorks for America, an organization that backs Tea Party congressional candidates across the country, including Dewhurst's recent opponent for U.S. Senate, Ted Cruz. 

The campaign's spokesman will be Travis Considine, who was the communications director on Josh Mandel's campaign for U.S. Senate in Ohio before he joined Dewhurst's staff during the legislative session.

Eliza Vielma, better known on social media as @MissLizaface, will direct the campaign's social strategy. Vielma, who has worked for six years at the Texas branch of Americans for Prosperity, helped found the conservative blogger conference RightOnline. 

Dewhurst faces what is expected to be a tough primary election battle against three challengers: Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.