Pinch-hitting for Perry during campaign

KXAN TV

Updated: Jan 19, 2012 8:04 PM

LA PORTE, Texas (KXAN) — On the edge of Houston's refinery row just south of Interstate 10 along the Texas coast, the governor of the State of Texas is busy at work.

But it might not be what you think.

“Some days I come to work in blue jeans and work boots,” said state Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, as he walked across the gravel outside his family construction company. “Other days I'm in a coat and tie and I go make speeches.”

These days, Jackson, 58, is a man with many roles: running his company in La Porte, serving in the state Senate, running for U.S. House in one of Texas' four newly created congressional districts, and - for 15 days so far - filling in for Gov. Rick Perry while he was out on the presidential campaign trail.

“We don't have any big state crisis or anything take place that would require any immediate action, but you also know that in the event you do that it's your job to do it,” he said, stopping to eye some workers across the yard.

Technically, Jackson is serving as “acting” governor. When the real governor's out of state, the Texas Constitution provides a chain of command: lieutenant governor, Senate president pro tempore – that is Jackson – speaker of the House, attorney general, and finally the 14 chief justices of the courts of appeals in descending district order.

The acting governor system is nothing new, but it really flew under the radar since the state said it was adopted in 1876. It has come up in recent years with presidential campaigns like two governors ago when Ann Richards campaigned out of state for Bill Clinton and most recently George W. Bush when he ran for president.

For the first 152 days of Perry's own presidential campaign, which ended Thursday, his state office said he has been out-of-state 119 times. That means someone else has been the acting governor 119 times, too.

One case was during the September wildfires. Perry rushed back to the state to survey the damage and work with officials at the onset but flew the next day to California for a debate, leaving Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in charge.

“The lieutenant governor, anytime I'm out of the state, who I've got great faith and we have a wonderful working relationship and he knows how this process works, as well,” Perry said after an aerial tour of the Steiner Ranch fire west of Austin.

But during the Iowa Caucuses a few weeks ago, Dewhurst joined Perry on the trail, so Jackson took the lead. In fact, during the course of the campaign, it has even fallen to the third in line for a single day - Speaker Joe Straus.

Check out Josh's Political Blog post about the Austin Democrat who is seventh in line to fill Perry's shoes.

“Gov. Perry stays in constant contact with our office, and the governor's office continues to operate as usual.” said Lucy Nashed, Perry's spokeswoman.

Also operating as usual - Perry's salary. Even when out-of-state, he receives his daily $410.96. So does the acting governor, if it is a full 24-hour period (73 times since Perry announced his candidacy). So far, it has cost the state an extra $30,000 over the course of the campaign.

Perry officials said that money is in their “flexible” budget. They also admit that modern technology usually eliminates the need for an acting governor.

“Now that we have internet and cell phones, it's a lot easier for Gov. Perry to continue to conduct state business even when he's out of Texas,” Nashed said.

“It may be a little bit old fashioned, but I would be hesitant to change it up very much,” Jackson said.

He added that his title of acting governor has mostly been just that - a title. To some, it might be costly and archaic... but to him, it is simply an honor.

“People want to shake my hand and say, 'Hey, I just shook hands with the governor.'” he laughed.

Actually, during his 15 days in this role, he has only come close to a gubernatorial duty once. Perry's office briefed him on an upcoming execution of convicted killer Milton Mathis. However, the governor and lieutenant governor returned to the state before Jackson had to make the life or death decision of granting a pardon.

“I'm thankful I haven't had to make that decision,” he said.

Check out Josh's Political Blog post about the Mathis execution.

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