Tom Leppert's tenure as mayor of Dallas ends Friday and speculation over his future plans are no longer in question.
On Friday, he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on his website, TomLeppert.com. Friday was also his last day as mayor of Dallas, a position he announced he was resigning from on Wednesday.
On the site, Leppert lists himself as a Republican conservative whose top issues are reigning in discretionary spending, extending the Bush-era tax cuts, finding more jobs for Texans and repealing "ObamaCare."
Additionally, Leppert said he is anti-abortion, saying that life is sacred and that Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. He also supports the death penalty and believes it is a justifiable punishment for heinous crime. Finally, he said he opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and opposes legalizing same-sex marriages and government-sanctioned civil unions.
Leppert is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
His entry in the race makes for an even more crowded GOP primary, where he will face former Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, current Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, former Solicitor General Ted Cruz and former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams.
It is also hotly rumored that current Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst may also seek to fill Hutchison's shoes. If Dewhurst chooses not to run, current U.S. Rep. Joe Barton may also enter the race.
With his resignation as the mayor of Dallas, the city will be led by Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway until a new mayor is sworn in after the election in May.
