By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ While Democrat Wendy Davis waits to announce her run for Texas governor, Republican candidate Tom Pauken is telling voters he’s the best choice to challenge her in a general election.

Pauken is running a long-shot bid gubernatorial bid against Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott. Pauken most recently helmed the Texas Workforce Commission and formerly ran the state Republican Party.

Pauken calls the 2014 governor’s race a fight for the soul of the Texas GOP. He lacks the spotlight or fundraising commanded by Abbott and Davis, but says he sees a path to victory with a grassroots campaign.

Gov. Rick Perry is not running for re-election next year, making 2014 the first open governor’s race in Texas in two decades.