Bush watch

Heir apparent George P. Bush reveals Texas land commissioner candidacy and Beyoncé love

UPDATE: The Bush campaign is no longer using the original version of the video set to the song "Halo" by Beyoncé. That version (which appears above) has been marked private and replaced with a much more subdued soundtrack.

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There's been a host of speculation about the political future of George W. Bush's nephew, but now it's finally official: George P. Bush is running for Texas land commissioner. Current commissioner Jerry Patterson plans to run for lieutenant governor in 2014, leaving the election wide open.

"Texas is an exceptional state because we as Texans are exceptional people," Bush said in a video announcing his candidacy. "If you believe as I do, that Texas is truly an exceptional place, with a rich heritage and a future of unbound potential, then I ask for your support as I run for Texas land commissioner in 2014."

The campaign has already enjoyed a higher-than-usual buzz due to the Bush family name.

More interesting than the predictable language of a political speech, though, was the background music.

As Buzzfeed first pointed out, the soundtrack for George P's historic announcement sounds strikingly similar to "Halo" by Beyoncé, a Houston native and noted supported of President Barack Obama.

Beyoncé hasn't commented on the video, but it wouldn't be the first time a political candidate used a popular song without permission and drew the artist's ire.

Mitt Romney ticked off the Silversun Pickups during the most recent presidential campaign, and the band Heart asked John McCain to stop playing "Barracuda" in 2008.

The state land commissioner isn't quite as high profile as the POTUS, but it is a powerful seat with a big name behind it. In addition to overseeing mineral rights and managing billions of dollars of state assets, the state land commissioner administers the Permanent School Fund.

The Bush family dynasty first noted the potential run in November 2012, when former Florida governor Jeb Bush sent out a fundraising letter testing the waters for his son, George P.

The campaign has already enjoyed a higher-than-usual buzz due to the family name.

Fort Worth residents George P. and his wife, Amanda, recently attended the Park Cities Quail Dinner and Auction. The couple has been known to frequent social events and even co-chaired A Celebration of Reading in November 2012. The event was a bit of a family affair, with Barbara and George H.W. Bush also in attendance.

George P. Bush, center, flanked by George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

In the spotlight

Dallas stars as one of the 10 best cities for filmmakers in 2026

Filmmaking, best places to live and work as a moviemaker

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash

Dallas has made its debut in the top 10 best cities for filmmakers.

Dallas has just snapped up new recognition as the No. 7 best place to live and work as a filmmaker in North America.

Dallas made its top-10 debut on MovieMaker Magazine's annual report, "The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026."

The city was snubbed entirely in the magazine's 2025 list, but previously ranked as the 25th best place to live and work as a filmmaker in 2024 and 20th in 2023.

The annual list ranks the best cities in the U.S. and Canada for individuals to live while working in the film industry, based on production spending, tax incentives, cost of living, the prevalence of "local film scenes," and additional factors. The list is divided into two categories: 25 big cities and 10 smaller cities or towns.

The final list of highlighted cities are the places where the publication believes filmmakers "have the best chance of both succeeding in the famously difficult entertainment industry, and making [their] own art."

Dallas' eye-catching skyline, public art displays, and its "vast green spaces" are just a few of the attributes that make it an appealing place for filmmakers to thrive, but MovieMaker also noted that Dallas' film scene has "always been about commerce as much as art."

"In addition to hosting many of the same Taylor Sheridan productions as nearby Fort Worth, including Landman and The Madison, it also does brisk business with commercials for a bevy of major brands," the report said. "The state’s grant rebate of up to 31 percent is a major boon, as is Dallas’ deep crew base: Seasoned crew members go back to the days of Walker, Texas Ranger and the soapy classic Dallas."

The report gave a special shout-out to The Dallas Film Commission and its free production assistant bootcamp, which first launched in July 2025 in partnership with Pegasus Media Project. The commission also supports and collaborates with film schools, unions, local organizations, and festivals like the Dallas International Film Festival, Oak Cliff Film Festival, and more.

Dallas edged out neighboring Fort Worth, which ranked as the 12th best place to live and work as a moviemaker in 2026, up seven spots from its 2025 ranking. MovieMaker said Yellowstone director and honorary Fort Worth resident Taylor Sheridan is to thank for Cowtown's jump in the report. Sheridan has shot many of his TV shows in North Texas, such as Landman; Special Ops: Lioness; 1883; and a new anticipated Yellowstone spinoff called The Madison, which will premiere on March 14, 2026.

"SGS Studios, which Sheridan founded, recently partnered on a new 450,000-square foot production campus at Fort Worth’s 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development," the report said.

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin was named the No. 5 best place to live and work as a filmmaker in North America, Houston ranked 10th, San Antonio appeared as No. 14, and El Paso landed at No. 25 on the list.

filmmaking dallas moviemaker magazine rankings city life entertainment

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