Texas dentist runs for U.S. Senate

A wealthy Texas dentist has joined a crowded U.S. Senate race to challenge Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the 2014 midterm elections.

David Alameel, DDS, who has offices in Dallas, Lewisville, and Irving, joins three other Democrats and a handful of Republicans who are running against Cornyn, according to a dallasnews.com story.

Dr. Alameel previously has contributed to candidates in both parties, the story noted.

It's his second bid for office. Last year, he spent $4.5 million running for Congress in the new minority-dominated district eventually won by Rep. Marc Veasey, (D-Fort Worth). Dr. Alameel came in fourth in a field of 11 in the Democratic primary, collecting 10% of the votes, according to the story.

In statewide elections, the odds in Texas remain strongly in favor of Republicans. However, Dr. Alameel has the financial and other resources to force a competitive race, according to the article.

Dr. Alameel told the paper that he is conservative in many ways and is pro-military and pro-national security.

According to the article, he and his wife, Martha, have donated about $727,000 in the last six years, all to Democratic candidates and committees at the national level. In Texas races, Dr. Alameel has donated $1.4 million in the last 15 years, much of it to top Republicans, such as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Gov. Rick Perry.

Like most Democrats, Dr. Alameel takes issue with Cornyn on immigration policy.

Dr. Alameel estimates his fortune at more than $50 million, the story stated. He listed assets worth $40 million to $125 million and an annual income topping $5 million, according to candidate disclosure forms he filed in February 2012.