Posted on 02/08/2003 12:21:46 PM PST by weegee
Holmes rules out mayor bid, pins hopes on Sanchez
Ex-Port chairman to spearhead former councilman's campaign
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Political Writer
Former Port of Houston Authority Chairman Ned Holmes ended speculation about a mayoral run of his own Thursday when he announced that he'll be campaign chairman for Orlando Sanchez.
Sanchez, a former City Council member and 2001 mayoral candidate who now works for an investment firm and an accounting firm, is expected to kick off his second mayoral run later this spring.
Holmes is a local investor who has played an important role in raising money for the past three mayors, the past two county judges and the 1997 mayoral campaign of Rob Mosbacher.
In 2001, Holmes was campaign chairman for Mayor Lee Brown in his narrow runoff victory over Sanchez. During that race, Brown repeatedly questioned Sanchez's qualifications. Brown cannot run for a fourth term because of voter-imposed term limits. Holmes jumped on the Sanchez bandwagon after considering the race himself and talking with other potential candidates.
When asked what difference he sees about Sanchez since the 2001 mayoral runoff, Holmes said: "Orlando exhibits all of the attributes I think we need as a mayor -- vision, integrity, intelligence, character. I think he addressed the city issues while he was a City Council member."
Holmes has scheduled a March 6 fund-raiser for Sanchez at his River Oaks home. As Sanchez's 2003 campaign chairman, Holmes will have the position that former Harris County-Houston Sports Authority Chairman Jack Rains held in 2001.
During a news conference at Holmes' Heights-area office, Sanchez said he welcomed the assistance he said will be needed "before, during and after the campaign." "Remember, I look forward when I make my announcement to calling you Mr. Chairman, but I will be Mr. Mayor," Sanchez said.
Holmes' announcement came the day after former Texas Democratic Party Chairman Bill White announced his mayoral candidacy.
White had sought Holmes' endorsement. He was unable to get it, political sources said, partly because of questions about White's chances in a race against Sanchez and at least two other expected major candidates -- state Rep. Sylvester Turner and City Councilman Michael Berry.
Even as Holmes and Sanchez spoke Thursday, White issued a statement criticizing Sanchez for announcing support from one "powerbroker" a day after White's kickoff, attended by more than 600.
"Citizens in neighborhoods from Clear Lake to the Fifth Ward should know that my campaign and time as mayor will not depend on the endorsement of any one key insider," White said.
Sanchez campaign consultant Dave Walden offered a one-word comment about White's statement -- "silly."
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