Wendy Davis to Run for Governor of Texas

Famous for her abortion-related filibuster

Wendy Davis, the Texas state senator who staged a filibuster against abortion restrictions, has begun telling supporters she will run for governor against a well-financed Republican in what could be one of the top matchups in the 2014 U.S. elections.

Davis, 50, gained national attention when she talked for nearly 11 hours on the Texas Senate floor in June to temporarily block new restrictions on abortion.

Highly placed Texas Democrats, who asked that they not be identified because Davis will not make a formal announcement until October 3, said they have been alerted by Davis directly or through her staff that she has decided to run.