Tony Garza, the former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Texas Secretary of State and Texas Railroad Commissioner, signed on with Austin-based Vianovo to handle that public affairs firm's business in Mexico.Garza, who will remain in Mexico, will be a partner in the firm and will also head a new business called Vianovo Ventures. Separately, Garza announced he'll join White & Case, an international law firm, as counsel. Garza, a rising star in Texas Republican politics, said earlier this year — as he was leaving the ambassador job — that he doesn't plan to run for office again.

Leticia Van de Putte says she won't run for the Democratic nomination for governor next year but is encouraging fellow state Sen. Kirk Watson to run.

"Five months of speculation regarding the possibility of me running for Governor has, quite frankly, been surprising. It started with nothing more than me not immediately saying ‘no,’ unlike in past election cycles, when asked if I would consider such a run. The reactions of thousands of Texans who encouraged me to give it serious consideration has been flattering. "I have, indeed, given it very serious thought, and while I would love to believe, tongue firmly planted in cheek, that this pent-up desire on the part of so many Texans for me to run for governor is solely because of some perceived superior leadership ability and vast intellect of mine, I have to reluctantly admit that it’s not as much about me as it is about Republican failures... "... I intend to lobby Senator Watson to run for governor, and I’ll wholeheartedly support him if he does. But if he declines, Democrats should recruit and support someone who, like Watson, is energetic, pragmatic, focused, and smart; and who can fully energize Democratic supporters while also attracting a broad range of independent voters in every region of the state."

That's a slap of sorts at Fort Worth's Tom Schieffer, who is announcing his bid for that nomination this week. Watson isn't committing to anything and isn't announcing what he'll do next year.

"I am very flattered by Senator Van de Putte’s confidence in me, and I strongly agree with her about the need for improved leadership in Texas. "I have a job I enjoy greatly, which is representing the citizens of Senate District 14. Over the next several weeks, I will evaluate the role I intend to play in serving Texas after 2010. That service may include running for and serving in another office or running for reelection. I intend to give this issue serious consideration, and I do not anticipate making any decisions in this regard until at least sometime after the end of the anticipated special session of the legislature, and probably not until the end of the summer."

And Schieffer ducked the swat and had nice words for Van de Putte:

"Senator Van de Putte has been a respected member of the Senate for many years. She would have been a formidable opponent in the Democratic primary. I am grateful she will not be running for governor this year. I look forward to sitting down with her to discuss my candidacy because I believe I can be the kind of candidate she can support, both in the Democratic primary and the general election."

Meanwhile, Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, told The Dallas Morning News that — having met with the Rick Perry a few times — he might get out of the GOP contest for governor.

Former U.S. Ambassador Tom Schieffer officially tossed his hat into the Democratic primary race for governor, speaking in Fort Worth, Houston and Austin during the first leg of a statewide circuit on Wednesday.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, assured Schieffer within the last month that he won't be joining him in the gubernatorial field, Schieffer told a group of reporters in the State Capitol. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, nominated Watson (or a Watson-esque Democrat) by name in a letter she wrote saying that she doesn't want to be governor this time around.

That doesn't precisely gibe with what Watson said in response to Van de Putte. He didn't rule anything in or out: "I intend to give this issue serious consideration, and I do not anticipate making any decisions in this regard until at least sometime after the end of the anticipated special session of the legislature, and probably not until the end of the summer."

A Texas Lyceum poll (we wrote about here) shows Schieffer (6 percent) running second to humorist Kinky Friedman (10 percent) in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Mark Thompson, the 2008 Democratic nominee for railroad commissioner, is also running. That poll had a margin of more than 6 percent; the candidate's are in a statistical tie, and seven in ten Democratic primary voters haven't made up their minds.

"I think 'undecided' is the runaway leader in both primaries," Schieffer said. "Those results weren't unexpected at this point. You just have to get out there and get your message out. And I think it resonates."

In the GOP primary, Gov. Rick Perry leads U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison 33 to 21 percent, with 41 percent undecided.

If his announcement speech is an indication of things to come, Texans will be hearing a lot from Schieffer about schools, jobs, health care, transportation and environment (in that order). Schieffer, whose friendship with Pres. George W. Bush could be a handicap among typically liberal primary voters, stressed his commitment to the Democratic Party by comparing himself to former U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn.

Schieffer mentioned that he assisted Gov. Mark White as late as his 1990 loss to Ann Richards. He said he helped out U.S. Army Secretary Pete Geren in his U.S. House campaigns in the late-90's as well.

He didn't reveal how much money he hoped to raise, saying only that his goal is to have more money than anyone else by the end of the year.

Flanking Schieffer in Austin was Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston. Schieffer, Thompson and Hutchison were all sworn in as freshman House members in 1973. Schieffer's brother, Bob Schieffer, is the host of CBS's Face the Nation.

—by a Texas Weekly correspondent

Addie Horn is retiring as commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services at the end of August. She's held that post since early 2006 and presided over the agency during a federal investigation that forced the state to improve its care of mentally disabled Texans.

Perry appointed Michael Massengale of Houston to the 1st Court of Appeals. The new judge has been a partner at Baker Botts, and replaced Tim Taft. Massengale will have the job until next year's elections.

Dr. William Henrich got the appointment to head the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. The board of regents named him to replace Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, who was earlier named the UT System chancellor.

Michael Kelley moves from government relations at the Texas Department of Public Safety to interim chief of the driver's license division. He's apparently in the running for the permanent job.

Resigned: Samuel Kent, a U.S. district judge serving a federal prison term for lying about sexual advances on two women who worked for him. Congress was working on his impeachment when he resigned.