With many voters’ interest tuned into the GOP gubernatorial primary, Democrats across the state will elect their own respective candidate on March 2.

A recent North Carolina-based Democratic polling firm, Public Policy Polling, indicates voters will reward former Houston mayor Bill White with the honor of being their gubernatorial candidate. White leads with 49 percent of likely Democratic primary voters, while 39 percent back businessman Farouk Shami.

Additionally the remaining four candidates capture less than 5 percent each; 24 percent of voters remain undecided.

According to the Texas Ethics Commission, White leads with $6.4 million compared to Shami’s $6 million cash on hand. However, White’s total contributions within the last 30 days highlight his enormous fundraising ability. White raised three quarters of a million dollars compared to $3,000 as reported by Shami.

While Shami has outspent White almost 5 to 1, Shami’s vast campaign chest is augmented by a $5 million personal loan to his campaign. Both campaign’s financial reports can be further explained by the current state of their respective campaigns.

Bill White: The popular three-term former mayor of Houston (2004-2010) is running for the state’s top office. White initially ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by senior U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, but decided to switch races in December.

White is running on his six year record as Houston’s mayor. White’s response during Hurricane Katrina should be applauded, as he opened up the city’s arms towards victims of disaster, ensured residents adequate housing, and enrolled their kids in classrooms. White’s campaign has emphasized his efforts to cut pollution and make Houston greener.

Additionally, White takes credit for reducing crimes during his tenure. But FBI statistical reports indicate crime declined as a national trend. White backed a controversial proposal to have taxpayers pick up first-time mortgage buyers’ “personal debt up to $3,000;” the proposal was later scrapped due to public backlash.

Farouk Shami: The businessman and owner of many hair and skin care products such as BioSilk and CHI brands is campaigning on the promise to bring thousands of jobs to Texas. Shami has already relocated his company to Houston, employing about 2,000, and pledges to personally build more plants across Texas in months to come. Shami has run an unorthodox campaign pledging several things: taking a dollar-a- year-salary and donating $10 million to the state if he can’t create 100,000 jobs within two years if elected.

But Shami’s unique campaign style has subtle racial overtones that mar and blight voters. Recently in a Dallas news interview, Shami indicated he was unsure if the federal government was involved in the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center. A top aide has resigned abruptly indicating an early capitulation of the campaign. Such events warrant voters closely re-evaluating Shami’s viability as a contender.

Whoever wins the March 2 Democratic primary will be pitted against likely Republican gubernatorial candidate, incumbent Gov. Rick Perry. Both contenders face an uphill battle, according to both historical accounts and recent polling. Perry leads both candidates in a head-to-head hypothetical matchup; no Democrat has successfully captured a statewide-run office since 1994.

 

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