DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - After more than a quarter-century in the Texas Senate, Royce West may have his sights set on statewide office.
West, a longtime Dallas attorney, has scheduled a news conference at Dallas County Democratic Party headquarters on July 22. It is widely speculated that he will announce a run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. West, 66, has also launched a new website to promote his upcoming announcement.
West has served in the Texas Senate since 1993. In November, he ran unopposed in his bid to serve another four-year term in Austin.
If he jumps into the U.S. Senate race, West would join a field that currently includes Air Force veteran MJ Hegar of Round Rock and former Houston Congressman Chris Bell.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn is running for a fourth term in 2020. In a Wednesday conference call with reporters, Cornyn said of West, "By all indications, I hear he's going to get into the race." Cornyn added, "We'll be ready no matter who gets nominated. The more, the merrier, as far as I'm concerned."