Vowing to "brighten the star in the Lone Star state with new leadership," Mayor Bill White formally announced his bid for Governor of Texas this afternoon at the Hilton Americas.
It's been something of an open secret, but White's decision to abandon his Senate race for the top job in state government will make him the odds-on favorite to capture the Democratic nomination. Other Democratic candidates are Felix Alvarado, Kinky Friedman, Hank Gilbert and Farouk Shami. Republican candidates are incumbent Gov. Rick Perry, who has already served the longest stint as Governor in Texas history, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Debra Medina.
Following in President Obama's footsteps, White sent a text message announcing his decision first to followers who subscribed to his feed.
White was introduced by his children, Will and Elena, and after his speech was surrounded by his family, including wife Andrea, while the Rolling Stones song, "Start Me Up," blared on the sound system.
Late August is one of Esquire's best new restaurants.
Photo by Leonid Furmansky
