At least, that's the intent. Elected after a Republican runoff against former state Rep. Susan King in 2016, Buckingham has announced her bid for land commissioner. The current commissioner, George P. Bush, also hopes to move up the state ladder by winning election as attorney general, an office currently held by embattled Ken Paxton. Republicans have occupied every rung on the state leadership ladder for decades. Haskell County native Rick Perry as a Democrat was elected to the Legislature in 1984, then won election as ag commissioner and lieutenant governor after switching parties. He was in the right office at the right time when Gov. George W. Bush sought the presidency in 2000.