Posted on 01/11/2006 6:51:45 AM PST by Theodore R.
Perry talks up conservatism in campaign kickoff BY JOHN REYNOLDS AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Gov. Rick Perry kicked off his re-election campaign in the Hub City on Tuesday morning, saying he's the only conservative in the race for governor.
"My friends, there will be only one conservative on the ballot this November," he told an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 on the Texas Tech campus.
"The promise I have kept, and that I renew to you today is this - I will not only campaign as a conservative, I will continue to govern as a conservative," he said.
Perry is seeking a second full term in the governor's mansion. If elected, he would have the opportunity to become the longest-serving chief executive in Texas history.
Elected lieutenant governor in 1998, Perry took over as governor following George W. Bush's election to the presidency. Perry filled out the remainder of the term before seeking election in his own right.
He faces token opposition in the Republican Party primary March 7, but he could face up to four opponents in November.
State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and humorist Kinky Friedman are each seeking places on the ballot as independent candidates.
Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Bob Gammage lead a four-man race for the Democratic nomination, while the Libertarian Party will field James Werner.
Perry in his speech made no overt acknowledgement of his opponents, but he took aim at candidates "who only say what they are against, and then fail to say what they are for."
"The race is not about, and it's not going to go to, the chronic complainer or the shrillest critic, but to the strongest leader," he said.
Perry told the crowd that he chose Lubbock - named the second-most conservative city in the nation in an unscientific survey over the summer - to begin his campaign because of the city's stance on property appraisals.
The City Council in recent years has lowered property tax rates to compensate for increases in property values.
"Mayor ... your local leaders are a shining example of government that puts taxpayers first," Perry said.
Perry also vowed to continue education reform efforts in another term, touting his executive orders creating a merit pay system for schoolteachers and stipulating that 65 percent of all education spending be spent on direct instruction.
State Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, one of many local Republican officeholders and candidates to attend the campaign kickoff, said he was not surprised by Perry's decision to come to Lubbock first.
"Lubbock and all of West Texas has historically supported Rick Perry," he said. "This has been a good base for him and he realizes it."
Perry was scheduled to make stops in Richardson, Tyler and Beaumont later Tuesday. He plans to wrap up his three-day, 12-city announcement tour on Thursday in Round Rock.
To comment on this story:
john.reynolds@lubbockonline.com 766-8725
brian.williams@lubbockonline.com 766-8717
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