Posted on 12/26/2005 5:32:20 AM PST by Theodore R.
Texas governor's race shaping up to be big show next year
ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN (AP) - For the first time since Republicans claimed all statewide offices in 1998, the party faces the possibility of a big-name GOP primary showdown next year.
The March 7 primary for Texas governor will likely pit Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a self-described "tough grandma," against her longtime foil and incumbent Rick Perry.
"I've never been the darling of the insiders. I run with the people," Strayhorn said. "Right after the new year, buckle your seat belt and hang on."
This month Strayhorn denied speculation she might consider a run as an independent, potentially postponing a contest with Perry until the November general election. She hasn't officially filed her candidacy papers yet, but she's expected to make the Jan. 2 deadline.
Perry, meanwhile, said he's only talking about his own Republican campaign.
"I know which party I'm for and which party I'm going to run. I made that decision a decade ago. I've got other very important things to spend my time on," said Perry, who switched from the Democratic Party before his run for agriculture commissioner in 1990.
If elected to another four-year term, Perry could hold the governor's office for 10 years, making him the longest-serving governor in Texas history. He was lieutenant governor under then-Gov. George W. Bush and assumed the state's top job when Bush was elected president in 2000. Two years later, Perry was elected to his first full term as governor.
Among Democrats, who admittedly are in a rebuilding period, former Houston congressman Chris Bell and former Texas Supreme Court justice Bob Gammage will challenge each other for their party's gubernatorial nomination.
The race's wild card is musician and author Kinky Friedman, who wants to get on the ballot as an independent. He'll have to gather 45,540 signatures from registered voters after the primary, but as a sign of confidence he's hired campaign manager Dean Barkley, who helped engineer the surprise victory by former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura for governor of Minnesota.
"There will be a whole new spirit blowing through Texas," Friedman said of his candidacy earlier this month. "There will be a smile on everybody's face and a chill up the spine of every politician."
The Republican race for governor narrowed in June when Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison decided to run for re-election rather than challenge Perry. The governor had warned a primary contest would be a "bloody" and "brutal" affair.
"Perry has shown that he gives no quarter in political races. None should be expected," said consultant Bill Miller, whose company's political committee has donated to Perry's campaign.
Miller predicted a hard-hitting contest if Strayhorn makes good on her promise to run. "They're both going to go for the jugular," he said.
Both camps began shooting insults at each other early in the year. Strayhorn called Perry a "do-nothin' drugstore cowboy" who hasn't shown leadership on children's issues or school property tax relief. Perry's campaign questioned Strayhorn's ethics and accused her of using her state office for political gain.
Perry and Strayhorn are also veteran campaigners. Perry has never lost a race. Strayhorn lost a run for Congress in 1986 after she switched to the GOP from the Democratic Party, and she lost a race for Railroad Commission in 1992. But she was later elected to the commission, then went on to become Texas' first woman comptroller. She was known at the time by the last name Rylander, before she remarried.
Perry's aides portray him as the real conservative. They cast Strayhorn as a pseudo-Republican whose support comes from Democrats and trial lawyers.
"I think the primary voters will see right through that," Perry spokesman Robert Black said. "Republican primary voters need to know if trial lawyers have picked a candidate in the Republican primary and who that candidate is."
Strayhorn's camp says it wants to attract more than the usual 600,000 people who typically vote in a Texas Republican primary.
"Our game plan is to turn the Republican primary in 2006 into the general election," said Mark Sanders, Strayhorn's spokesman. "We want everyone who wants to have a say in the future of this state. In order to do that, they need to vote in the March Republican primary."
As 2005 ended, Strayhorn and Perry were busy collecting campaign cash. At the end of the latest campaign reporting period, June 30, Perry had $8.8 million in cash on hand, and Strayhorn had $7 million.
They won't have to report their contributions for the second half of the year until mid-January, but each undoubtedly added millions more dollars.
It's widely believed Perry would outspend Strayhorn, who said she plans to counter Perry's power by debating key issues and bringing together supporters of all political stripes.
"I am looking forward to the challenge," she said.
Texas governor doesn't have much power; the lt. governor post... that's another story.
I concur... + he's a Texas A&M Aggie Former Student.
Trajan88; TAMU Class of '88
Ah, but how active will you be in campaigning for Perry? I'll be out working the doors and phones. The silly claims the Pro-Perry crowd is making are a great motivator.
I believe that someone can change parties and embrace a new philosophy. I did - changing from a born (union home when I was a kid) Democrat to a hardline Republican.
Perry never had my support. He fell into the governor's office when W won the presidency.
One drawback/worry is that ANYONE can vote in the primary. There were a lot of crossovers 4 years ago for local races. Some got mad when they found out they could only vote in one primary - they wanted to vote in both.
If true, why did Lt. Gov. Preston Smith run for governor in 1968? Why was Lt. Gov. Rick Perry apparently eager to become governor in 2000? Why didn't Ann W. Richards run for lt. governor in 1994, instead of reelection as governor? Why did Kay B. Hutchison signal that she really wanted to run for governor in 2006?
Yes, the lt. governor names all State Senate committee chairmen and names half of the members of the Senate committees. He also can block a bill from being heard by the full Senate. The lt. gov. is paid only $7,200 per year: it's a parttime post.
Strayhorn is a Republican if she voted in the Republican primary or runoff of 2004. Otherwise, she is an unaffiliated voter.
What's your "conservative" solution to funding education? There are no good alternatives; somebody is going to be paying more than they are now if you and I get a property tax cut or freeze.
The redistricting "drama" is worth another vote, IMO. He stood up to the Democrats and the media and forced the issue.
Perry's going to win in a walk, not only the primary, but also the general. Strayhorn reminds a lot of men of their ex-wives (so I've been told) or their nagging mothers-in-law, so she'll have to get her votes from women.
Friedman stands a good chance of not even making it on the ballot. Chris Bell is a nobody, and will make the same impression most Democrats do on election day.
You're the only human being I know who has said he would vote for Strayhorn. Her problem is that she is annoying. Her shrill voice DOES remind Texas Republicans of Ann Richards. She's now holding fundraisers with Ben Barnes, who was involved in the Rathergate fiasco last year, and is one of the most corrupt Democrat politicians to ever hold office in this state.
All Perry has to do is show her with a guy who tried to do W. in in 2004, and the other Democrats she's enlisting in her campaign, and she'll be toast on primary day.
I once read that Michael Stanley Dukakis reminded women of their first husbands.
Did you know that Mr. McClellan, Strayhorn's first husband, wrote a book (I have not seen it.) that claims that LBJ engineered the assassination of JFK?
I've been reading these posts and see you now call anti Perry voters anti Republican? Well I've been an ACTIVE Republican since 66, worked in hundreds of campaigns, and been to six state conventions from two counties. So am I anti Republican because I can't stand Perry and his do nothing politics.
Texans need to remember that the gov is pretty much a figure head. The real power is in the lt gov.
I thought she wanted an income tax.
Perry's stand on redistricting is one reason I will vote for him.
Work all you want. I think her running for Governor is great because she'll get trounced and lose her current position. Goodbye Carol.
I understand that. But I also recognize that what people say and do matters. She may be entitled to call herself a Republican, especially since that's the only way to get elected in a statewide office in Texas, but actions and words mean far more than labels.
No she hasn't.
Simply calling her names
It is hard not to, when she keeps adding another one every few years... (rimshot)
Toll roads. Instead of raising taxes to pay for the needed new roads (gas taxes are barely covering just maintenance of existing roads) he's trying to privatize new expressways where possible. Why do some conservatives always call for privatization of gov't services such as schools, but not for roads? Does it step on their middle-class welfare?
Do nothing? Redistricting, tort reform, expanding private tollway opportunities, and brokering numerous economic development projects, such as the San Antonio Toyota plant, a soon to be announced Rio Grande Valley auto plant, new huge distribution hubs for Walmart, Home Depot, and others in Chambers County that will shift some of the huge mass of imports from LA to the port of Houston, etc. 400,000 more Texans every year, yet our unemployment rate is declining.
He's doing a thing or three right.
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