North Texas
(2009-11-23)
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The Democratic race for Governor changed direction Monday when Fort Worth businessman Tom Schieffer dropped out of the race, and Houston Mayor Bill White said he may get in. KERA's Shelley Kofler reports from Austin, where Schieffer made his announcement.
Schieffer says he decided to shut down his campaign because he couldn't raise enough money to successfully compete in a statewide race.
His campaign also struggled to convince Democrats that despite his friendship and business ties to George W Bush, Schieffer was one of them.
Schieffer says he made his decision to leave the race Sunday after driving to Houston to meet with Mayor Bill White.
Schieffer says he's now throwing his support for Governor behind White and asking other Democrats in the race to do the same.
Schieffer: I think he has a broad range of experience. He has a great intellect. He has been a wonderful mayor of Houston under some very stressful conditions. He's shown that he can deliver.
White has been campaigning for Kay Bailey Hutchison's Senate Seat which she said she'd give up in December so she could campaign full time against Rick Perry for the GOP nomination for Governor.
But last week Hutchison changed her mind and decided to stay in Congress through the March primary.
With an opportunity for the Senate now up in the air White held a press conference in Houston and said he wants to hear from voters before he runs for Governor instead. But he sure sounded like he's leaning in that direction as he called Perry a disappointment.
White: I'm disappointed at the failure to make real and tangible significant progress in cutting the drop out rate, improving school achievement, limiting tuition increases, fighting polluters.
In addition to being a popular mayor, White built a successful law practice and business. He's also a former chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
White's press secretary says White has more than $4 million in his Senate campaign account he could use to jump start a race for Governor. White says he'll make a decision on whether to do that by Friday. December 4th.
© Copyright 2010, KERA
