By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-12-26 13:46:38 | Word Count: 632
Hundreds of Bill White supporters flowed out of a room that one supporter described as “slightly smaller than a legislature’s broom closet” at a rally for the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful.
Audience members stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the event for the Houston mayor Sunday night, when many Texas politicians spoke and endorsed White’s run for governor.
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“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this much excitement for a public race,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who has endorsed White along with every member of the Austin City Council.
White announced his intention to run for governor Friday, joining two Democratic candidates that include musician Kinky Friedman and hair-care company owner Farouk Shami. Rancher Hank Gilbert dropped out of the gubernatorial race and filed for the agriculture commissioner’s race the same day White announced he would run.
Leffingwell reminded the crowd that it’s been almost 15 years since Texas has seen a Democratic governor but that it was Texas that bred such politicians as Ann Richards and Barbara Jordan.
Former mayor Kirk Watson, who is also seeking re-election to the state senate, encouraged voters to talk to friends, family and “everyone you know on Facebook” about White’s run.
Watson addressed Republican incumbent Rick Perry’s intent to run for re-election and the change he hoped to see come to Texas.
“[Some] want us to believe that this is as good as it gets and that if you want to improve things, then you’re just not proud of Texas,” Watson said. “We have a word for that, and it’s ‘bull.’”
Watson spoke of White’s accomplishments in Houston and said he had hopes that White would welcome those of all political beliefs to the table.
Texas currently holds the highest percentage of adults without a high school diploma and the highest percentage of kids without medical health insurance. White took the microphone and to speak on these statistics and about the leadership it will take to solve these problems. White demanded a governor accountable for results.
“We need a governor we don’t have to apologize for and a governor who will lead the nation, not leave the nation,” White said.
White said that though he may not be as polished as those running for the office, he knows how to bring people together to get things done.
“We know it’s going to get dirty and that we can expect negativity, but isn’t Texas worth fighting for?” White said.
Political figures such as Democratic state representatives Dawnna Dukes, Donna Howard, Mark Strama and others either spoke or were recognized for their endorsement.
Government junior Danielle Faulkner learned about the rally through groups on Facebook and also heard White speak last semester when she was active in University Democrats.
She said that though she generally tries to do her own research on candidates after hearing them speak, she was impressed by White’s track record in the Houston community. Faulkner has been active in Texas politics since last fall and said that she plans to volunteer for White’s campaign this year.
“Like Dawnna Dukes said, I think Bill White will do a good job regardless of the position he runs for,” she said.
Austin High School senior Rachel Cross attended the rally with a group of classmates interested in the Texas political process.
“I’m not sure that White has a huge chance, but there was some good energy tonight, and I didn’t think it would be this crowded,” Cross said.
