This is a fascinating development. According to a recent PPP Poll, former Houston mayor and Texas gubernatorial candidate Democrat Bill White is now tied with secessionist incumbent Republican Governor Rick “Good Hair” Perry at 43% each. (The “Good Hair” monicker is a nod to the late great Molly Ivins.)
Texas would seem an unlikely candidate to provide Democrats their biggest win of the election cycle but the Governor’s race there is a reminder that candidates matter. Perry is an unusually weak incumbent, while White is an unusually strong challenger. Only 36% of voters in the state like the job Perry is doing while 49% disapprove. Among independents the numbers are particularly bad- just 27% give Perry good marks to 55% who think he’s doing a poor job. White meanwhile is better known and better liked than most challengers running across the country this year. 37% of voters have a favorable opinion of him to 25% with an unfavorable one and he posts positive numbers with independents at a 35/24 spread.
In almost every race in the country right now Republican voters are more unified around their candidates than Democrats are and independents are leaning toward the GOP. Texas is running against the national grain on both of those counts- White is winning 15% of Republicans while Perry gets just 10% of Democrats and White also has a 42-36 advantage with independent voters.
I still think the political dynamics in Texas give Perry an edge, but if White can pull this out it would be an amazing victory for Democrats. A Democrat hasn’t served as governor since George W. Bush defeated Ann Richards in 1994. Oh, and for what it’s worth, Bill Clinton endorsed Mayor White today.
Throw some cash White’s way. Visit his website, follow him on Twitter, and “Like” him on Facebook.