Texas Gov. Rick Perry re-elected

Houston Chronicle ^ | November 8, 2006 | Peggy Fikac

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

AUSTIN - Republican Gov. Rick Perry beat a unique set of challengers Tuesday for another term that could make him Texas' longest-serving governor as he presses priorities such as border security, strict state budgeting and an ambitious transportation plan.

It was a less-than-cliff-hanging end to a race that started with a lot of potential for drama — thanks to the entry of colorful independents Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn — and ended with much of that potential unrealized.

Early returns showed Perry ahead with about 40 percent of the vote, followed by Democrat Chris Bell, who had about 29 percent support.

"I want to say something to every Texan that may be listening tonight: Whether you voted for me or not, or whether you voted for one of the other candidates, for the next four years it is my intention to serve you as your governor. I will serve you with humility, recognizing that Texas is better when we all work together," Perry said at his election-night party.

"It is a blessing and an honor to be the governor of the greatest state in the union," Perry said.

Critics said Perry favored special interests while not doing enough for ordinary Texans.

But he rode his "Proud of Texas" theme to victory over entertainer and author Friedman, who once headed the Texas Jewboys; state Comptroller Strayhorn, known as "One Tough Grandma;" former congressman Bell of Houston; and Libertarian James Werner.

Results, reactions

As the early results indicated that Texans had returned Perry to office for a second full term, hundreds of GOP loyalists began gathering Tuesday night at the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin to celebrate. Perry spent the early evening in private with family and a few visiting friends watching the returns on television, said campaign spokesman Robert Black.

Nearby, at the historic Driskill Hotel, Strayhorn watched returns, surrounded by her four sons, from the Governor's Suite.

''I just want you to know I just called and congratulated Gov. Perry. I wish him the best over the next four years," Strayhorn told supporters. "Now is the time for all Texans to come together and work for what's best for all Texans, our children, our future."

She thanked her friends, family, teachers, supporters and voters, saying, "We made a strong showing for an independent. We just didn't have the strong showing we needed."

In Houston, Bell also conceded, saying he will be "eternally grateful" for all his support.

"It has been a long, hard battle and one that I will always believe was worth fighting. I hope you will too," he told supporters.

Bell said he wasn't ready to hang his head but would "savor the experience and live to fight another day."

Friedman, too, remarked on the race, though he didn't exactly concede.

"This has been a great race. It's one that I think may not be really important, but it might be significant. ... It might be significant for that place we call the future," Friedman told supporters who had gathered at Scholz Garten, a historic gathering place for Austin liberals.

He said his race was "totally amateur" and two opponents had "limitless funds."

"That made us gypsies on a pirate ship," he said, adding nevertheless that his campaign had "inspired a lot of people. It certainly inspired me."

At Scholz's, black hats and black shirts were the favored attire as Friedman supporters sipped beer, two-stepped to a country band and stocked up on Kinky Friedman talking dolls and other campaign memorabilia. Viva Las Vegas played as Friedman, who wanted to bring casinos to Texas, signed posters and mingled.

Austin musician Matt Eskey, 41, said his vote for Friedman was a protest against party politics. "It's a strike against career politicians, which is all I care about," he said.

In Houston, Bell's wife, Alison, said she wasn't sure what her husband would do immediately after the election. But she said she couldn't see the former Houston city councilman and congressman abandoning his political ambitions.

"I highly doubt he would stay out of politics. Once the bug bites ... " she said.

Perry's long reign

If Perry serves out another four-year term — discounting the whispers of some that he might be a vice-presidential contender — he would be governor for a record decade in a political career he started as a Democratic state lawmaker from rural Haskell County.

He changed parties before winning his first statewide office, as agriculture commissioner, and went on to become lieutenant governor before stepping up to governor when George W. Bush went to the White House.

Perry has consistently discounted the idea that his agenda might be hampered by a victory short of half the vote, saying, "We'll still have 100 percent of the authority."

Ten previous governors have been elected with less than 50 percent of the vote, most recently the late Democratic former Gov. Ann Richards in 1990, according to the Texas Almanac.

Perry's talk about what he wants to tackle next in Texas has been big-picture.

Pressing forward

On state government budgets, he wants more fiscal discipline and a bigger role for the governor in spending decisions.

On taxes, he sees a chance that the rate of Texas' expanded state business tax — approved this year as part of a plan to lower local school property tax rates — might be cut with a budget surplus.

He also has set in motion an effort to more tightly control property appraisals, one factor affecting tax bills that has kept people from feeling school property tax rate cuts.

On transportation, he is pressing ahead with his Trans Texas Corridor plan, a traffic-easing network meant to include toll roads, utility lines and rail.

On the hot-button issue of border security, Perry plans to ask lawmakers for $100 million to help fend off the threat of drug cartels and terrorists.

Regarding higher education, he has yet to offer specifics but says he wants to make it more affordable, accessible and efficient.

It's all part of a philosophy that he said has focused on improving the economy and people's ability to better themselves.

Opponents said Perry put Texas on a poor course marked by special attention to corporate interests through such things as financial incentives, which he said were important to lure jobs; insufficient support for important programs including public education; and roadblocks to health care for needy children.

Perry capitalized on the idea that while he had a record to show voters, his opponents didn't cite accomplishments great enough or plans specific enough to show they'd do better.

He pointed to moves including this year's passage of the school finance package that expanded business and other taxes to lower school property tax rates.

It drew strong criticism as well as support as it satisfied a court order for change.

He hammered on steps he took to meet a $10 billion budget shortfall several years ago without new taxes, enhance border security, promote economic development and untangle transportation snarls.

He acted on his conservative credentials by signing abortion restrictions and championing a ban on same-sex marriage.

He defended stricter requirements for enrolling in the Children's Health Insurance Program, saying the rules encouraged personal responsibility.

Reporters Janet Elliott, Polly Ross Hughes and Lisa Sandberg contributed to this report from Austin and Lisa Falkenberg reported from Houston.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Trans-Texas Corridor PING!

[38special]

God Bless Texas. Bright red in a sea of blue.

[ImpBill]

I voted for Grandma, but did so knowing Rick would win anyway. I bet he got the message though winning with less than 40% of the vote. But I doubt if that message will linger with him long. LOL

[GregoTX]

Well.... thats a speck of good news tonight. Happy to see Senator Hutchison did fine as well.

[Richard Kimball]

They didn't post Kinky's totals, but I got the distinct impression he dropped like a rock after the debate. When he was doing campaign appearances at Willie's ranch a couple of days ago, I figured he would sweep his entire circle of friends, and maybe come in with 7%.

[GOPyouth]

I bet Keeton Rylander Strayhorn got the message that 82% of the Texas registered voters think she's a nutjob.

[slapshot]

yippy friggin skippy

[ImpBill]

More than likely. But she got this "nut jobs" vote none the less. Even knowing Rick would win. Of course I was also a nut job for Alan Keyes when he ran what was obvioously a loosing campaign. That's why my vote is exactly that ... "my vote", as is yours my FRiend.

Have a great day.

Go Horns!

[GeorgeBerryman]

That's the one thing keeping me from going completely apesh!t tonight - I live in Texas.

[Coldwater Creek]

Imus will probably not be on his show in the morning. With Kinky and Harold Ford Jr. both losing he will be back on the sauce!!!!!!

[anymouse]

Well Gov. Perry just cleated across the bodies of a lot of good local Texas Republicans that suffered in their down ballot races due to Perry's arrogance. Perry tried every way to screw up the election, but Republicans held their noses and voted for the jerk for the sake of the Party. Unfortunately their lack of enthusiasm caused them to forget about the candidates on the tail end of the ticket. A darn shame, as their losses will be felt more than Perry's Pyrrhic victory will.

[umbagi]

God Bless Texas. Bright red in a sea of blue.

I'm proud of Texas tonight, too! We've done so well that the leftstream media has ignored us!

I live in that tiny blue dot in that bright red state, though.

The neighbors on both sides are still partying down (it's 4:00am), and I wasn't invited.

The neighborhood dogs crossed the street before they got to my house, until my yard signs were stolen.

I got court-gerrymandered into having to cast a lonely, overlooked protest vote against Lloyd Doggett (flatulence in a gale).

Sigh... I had to wake the poll workers to vote in the Republican primary last spring.

It's like -- well, it's like being a litterbug on the Group W bench!

How on earth did this place get to be the capital of the great State of Texas?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Ben Ficklin]

The Guv's win is a win for the Road.

[wolfcreek]

"he is pressing ahead with his Trans Texas Corridor plan"


IMO, his victory (3.9/10) was 'Not' a referendum for the TCC. His *vision* will continue to be an uphill battle.

[deport]

RACE	NAME		PARTY	EARLY VOTES	PERCENT	TOTAL VOTES	PERCENT
Governor
	Rick Perry - Incumbent		REP	699,981	40.58%	1,694,499	39.10%
	Chris Bell		DEM	510,813	29.62%	1,290,093	29.77%
	James Werner		LIB	9,756	0.57%	26,449	0.61%
	Richard "Kinky" Friedman		IND	182,819	10.60%	543,934	12.55%
	Carole Keeton Strayhorn		IND	318,625	18.47%	777,313	17.94%
	James "Patriot" Dillon		W-I	2,828	0.16%	980	0.02%
				---------------		---------------
		Total Votes Cast		1,724,822		4,333,268
		Early Provisional Ballots Reported		6,147
		Total Provisional Ballots Reported				6,813
		Precincts Reported		8,433	of	8,510 Precincts	99.10%
	*	Statewide Turnout		33.14%		13,074,279 Registered

[SwinneySwitch]

Kinky came in 2nd at Swinney Switch, "Grandma" was 3rd and Bell(D) 4th....Perry had 40%

[TXnMA]

"How on earth did this place get to be the capital of the great State of Texas?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Better question:

"How on earth did the capital of the great State of Texas get to be the liberal stinkhole it is today?"

My vote goes to the presence of UT-Austin and the influx of people from the Left Coast.

[seeker_two]

Amen. B/t the TTC and the education funding issue, I expect Perry to be a six-year lame duck....

...and I don't have a problem with that...