AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A wealthy Dallas Dentist who spent lavishly while running unsuccessfully for Congress last year is challenging longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
David Alameel spent millions while competing in a crowded 2012 Democratic primary race for the seat in a new congressional district eventually won by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth. He’s also a former Cornyn donor.
The Democratic Party of Texas said it received Alameel’s paperwork Wednesday. He had been promising to enter the race for several days.
Elected in 2002, Cornyn is now the Senate’s No. 2 Republican.
He has been endorsed by Gov. Rick Perry and though Alameel joins a small group of Democratic and Republican challengers, Cornyn is expected to cruise to his party’s nomination in March. He’s also heavily favored in November’s general election.