Texas delegates Josh Kempf (L) and David Barton attend day two of the Republican National Convention August 31, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Glenn Beck’s Tea party candidate of choice, evangelical David Barton, has decided not to challenge Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn in 2014. Barton announced his decision on Glenn Beck’s radio program this morning. “My family and I have carefully prayed about and seriously weighed the encouragement from so many people we respect who have asked me to run for the Senate,” Barton announced on Beck’s The Blaze show. “But right now, I believe my role is to continue educating, equipping and inspiring citizens through the work we do at WallBuilders [Barton’s organization].”
Beck said he called Barton a few weeks ago and asked him to run for Cornyn’s seat. Barton, Beck recalled, got “dead silent” and then responded that he had considered it. “I almost wet my pants because it was very exciting,” Beck said on the air. “It was a winnable thing.”
Barton, however, had a remaining catch: “God has to tell me.” Beck quipped back, “Always have to check with dad?”
So, after consulting with God and family in the past week, Barton has realized, “Time is just not right for me.” He also estimated that he would have to raise $200,000/day from now to the election to win. He told Beck he is not sure his team and party have the proper infrastructure in place to be successful. But he hasn’t ruled out for a future senate run. Is there anything that could change his mind?
“Yeah, God,” Barton told Beck. “You got it right, check with dad.”
Here is Barton’s entire statement:
I am deeply honored and humbled by the heartfelt efforts of thousands of people encouraging me to run for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Citizens in Texas and across America know that our nation’s fiscal, moral, and constitutional deficits must be reversed.
I agree with the millions who say we need more constitutionally conservative leaders serving in Congress. The detailed polling data as well as the outpouring of immediate support from across the state indicate this is a race that could be won.
But as important as one seat in the U. S. Senate is, we also have generations of citizens that need to know our constitutional principles and rich heritage. Such education will result in the election of many more constitutionally-minded common-sense patriots in coming years.
As I travel the nation speaking about the founding principles of America, I have noticed a definite growth in the depth of interest regarding our moral and constitutional foundations. People are not only becoming more active in the political process but are becoming more principled and informed about how to restore our constitutional republic.
The solution to our current American crisis will come from the basic actions of our citizens studying the Constitution, voting and campaigning for good candidates, and helping reduce the size of government by personally helping those around us who are in need.
My family and I have carefully prayed about and seriously weighed the encouragement from so many people we respect who have asked me to run for the Senate. But right now, I believe my role is to continue educating, equipping, and inspiring citizens through the work we do at WallBuilders.
I thank all of you who encouraged me to enter this race. I ask you to take the time, energy, and money you so generously offered on my behalf and invest it in electing other constitutional conservatives at every level of government. Our involvement is needed now more than ever before. Our goal hasn’t changed. We each have a role to play to build a winning coalition of citizens who share a commitment to put the country on a sustainable and constitutionally sound trajectory. At this specific time my role will not be as a candidate, but I will continue to work side-by-side with you in the trenches to educate the nation, while also recruiting, training, and electing a new generation of conservative leaders.