“Rick Perry is running for governor — but not that Rick Perry,” the Texas Tribune reports.

“The Republican Party of Texas updated its list of candidate filings Monday — hours before the deadline for the March primary election — to include a Rick Perry running against Gov. Greg Abbott. The party quickly confirmed that it was not Rick Perry, the former governor and U.S. energy secretary. Instead it’s Ricky Lynn Perry, a man from Springtown, a town in Parker County northwest of Fort Worth. On the form, the man listed ‘Rick Perry’ as the version of his name that he wants to appear on the ballot.”

First Read: “In 2018, the best political environment for Democrats in the past decade, O’Rourke lost his Senate race against Ted Cruz by about 2.5 percentage points, 50.9 percent to 48.3 percent, the best showing for a top-of-ticket Texas Democrat in almost 30 years.”

“Then in the 2020 presidential election, which saw record turnout, Joe Biden lost the state by 5.6 points, 52.0 percent to 46.4 percent.”

“So for Beto to win in Texas — or to just keep it close — he needs a much more favorable political environment than Democrats face right now; he needs to find new voters who didn’t participate in 2020; and he needs to win over some of the 5.9 million Texans who voted for Trump (versus 5.3 million who voted for Biden).”

“And all at a time when the GOP is making gains among Latinos in the state.”

Beto O’Rourke (D) announced that he is running for Texas governor, challenging incumbent Greg Abbott (R) in what could become one of the highest-profile races of 2022, the Washington Post reports.

Texas Tribune: “O’Rourke’s decision to enter the race ends months of speculation and gives Democrats a formidable campaigner at the top of the ticket — someone who transformed Texas politics with his blockbuster campaign against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. The clock has been ticking, with the candidate filing deadline for the March 2022 primary less than a month away.”

“Abbott’s campaign reacted to O’Rourke’s launch by yoking him to President Joe Biden, releasing an animated image of O’Rourke morphing into Biden.”

Texas Monthly: “He will seek to become the first Democrat to win statewide office in Texas since 1994, ending the longest statewide losing streak in America for either party.”

The man whom Allen West (R) admitted physically confronting at an airport over a disagreement about masks last week said he wants to press charges, alleging that the Texas GOP gubernatorial candidate “violently” tore off the man’s mask, the Dallas Morning News reports.

A Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation poll finds Gov. Greg Abbott (R) leading potential challenger Beto O’Rourke (D) in the race for governor, 44% to 43%.

The remainder of respondents said they were either unsure or wanted someone else.

A new Quinnipiac poll in Texas finds that 51% of voters don’t think Gov. Greg Abbott (R) deserves to be reelected.

However, 50% of voters do not think Beto O’Rourke (D) would make a good governor and 49% do not think Matthew McConaughey would make a good governor.

Actor Matthew McConaughey really is considering a run for Texas governor, CBS Dallas-Fort Worth reports.

Said McConaughey: “Well, thank you, man. I’m measuring it. Look, it’s going to be in some capacity… I’m more of a folksy and philosopher poet statesman than I am a, per se, definitive politician.”

He added: “So I go, well, that’s a reason not to, but then I go, no, that’s exactly why you should, because politics needs redefinition, but I’m measuring, you know, what is my category? What’s my embassy?”

McConaughey still has not stated his political party affiliation, if any.

Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) is preparing to run for governor of Texas in 2022, with an announcement expected later this year, Axios reports.

“O’Rourke’s entry would give Democrats a high-profile candidate with a national fundraising network to challenge Republican Gov. Greg Abbott — and give O’Rourke, a former three-term congressman from El Paso and 2020 presidential candidate and voting rights activist, a path to a political comeback.”

Former Texas GOP Chair and current candidate for governor Allen West (R) is demanding an apology after his wife was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated, Fox Dallas reports.

“The retired Army lieutenant colonel produced photos of a receipt that he said proves his wife did not order any alcoholic drinks with her meal. He said she only had two Excedrin.”

“I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t run.”

— Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), who lived with former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) in Washington, D.C. and keeps in touch with him, talking to the Daily Beast about the Texan’s potential gubernatorial bid.

“Beto O’Rourke might very well become a candidate for governor, but he wants to keep his focus on his work with grassroots civic engagement organizations for now,” the Dallas Morning News reports.

Said O’Rourke: “I’ve committed myself to this fight for the right to vote and preserving our democracy in America. We are in really the final hours of this fight, and there’s not much time left for us, and I want to make sure I’m giving this 100% of my focus and my effort.”

Don Huffines (R), who is challenging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in the Republican primary, says he has raised $9.1 million since launching his bid in early May, the Texas Tribune reports.

Huffines did not disclose how much of that figure was self-funded.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) “is starting his 2022 reelection campaign with $55 million in the bank, a staggering figure even by the already high standards for which his fundraising is known,” the Texas Tribune reports.

A new Dallas Morning News poll in Texas finds Gov. Greg Abbott (R), after trailing potential challenger Matthew McConaughey in the spring, has rebounded and now has a slight — but not statistically significant — lead over the movie star in a hypothetical matchup in next year’s race for governor, 39% to 38%.

“Allen West, who recently stepped down as the chair of the Texas Republican Party, announced Sunday he is running for governor of the state,” Politico reports.

“West’s candidacy puts him on a collision course against incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican. West has frequently been critical of Abbott, even during his time as state party chair.”