Father of Possible Gubernatorial Candidate Wendy Davis Dies

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ Actor and director Jerry Russell, the father of state Sen. Wendy Davis, has died at a Fort Worth hospital following complications from surgery.

Russell died Thursday. He was 77. Davis, who’s considering a run for governor, announced Russell’s death on her Facebook page. Russell founded Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth.

Davis says her father died peacefully surrounded by family and she’s “heartbroken” at the loss. The Democrat from Fort Worth thanked everyone for their prayers.

Davis last week delayed any announcement on her political plans to concentrate on her ailing father.

Davis on June 25 carried out a nearly 13-hour filibuster against an abortion bill. Her delay forced GOP Gov. Rick Perry to call a second special legislative session to pass the ban on most abortions after 20 weeks.

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