Hank Gilbert withdraws, running for Ag. Comm, endorses Farouk Shami?!

[crispini]

Bombshell! No link yet, just got it from Karl TM via Twitter.

Edited to add: Quorum Report has it on their Facebook page.

[sonias]

1. Hank would be a great Ag Commissioner too

No comment on the endorsement of Farouk though.


Sonia

[sonias]

2. Hank's statement just came across his subscriber list

In August when I made the decision to enter the race for Governor, it was to provide the leadership and bold ideas this state needs. At the time, I believed I was the only candidate who could win and carry a tide of Democratic victories from the state House to the courthouse.

With recent entries into the race, it's become clear that there are now two people seeking the support of Democrats who can continue this fight to victory and allow me to return to the race for Agriculture Commissioner.

One of them I'm proud to support as a friend and fellow Texan, a man who will serve the citizens of this amazing state faithfully and provide them with the leadership to overcome any challenge. It's my honor and privilege to endorse Farouk Shami for Governor of Texas.

Farouk will force the transformation of Texas into a global leader in education, renewable energy, civil rights, and transportation.

While it's true others have asked me to explore other offices on the ballot, Agriculture Commissioner is the decision I have made as it puts me in the one other office where I know I can best serve Texans.

For me, my race for governor comes to an honorable conclusion. Today I start anew down an already familiar road into a familiar battle, and it is one I can and will win.

The decision to seek the office of Agriculture Commissioner is mine, and no outside factors have influenced my decision. I announce this endorsement because I believe Farouk Shami can win and will breathe new life into our party and into Texas. The policies I introduced as a gubernatorial candidate are close to my heart, and Farouk Shami concurs with what I proposed. I take comfort in the fact that the hard work I have done on transportation, LGBT issues, education, tier one universities, education funding, and energy and the environment will live on.

The ideas and people I fought for are the same ideas and people Farouk will fight for. I look forward to working with each of you as we travel down this path together.

Sincerely,
Hank Gilbert

Wow that's is a pretty strong endorsement from Hank on Farouk Shami.

Sonia

[Aragorn]

3. any democrat

is better than any current republican candidate. Let's see after the primary - I will vote for any democrat and I doubt whether Shami has any less chance than anyone else. But then I've lived in Texas all my life (52 years) and I smell which way the wind blows.

[CoolOnion]

4. Just got the email

I was logging on to post, but see word's gotten around.

[sonias]

6. I'm glad Hank is still running for something

Hank is the real deal and I would love to see him hold office. I have no idea what little Toddy Staples is going to do. Everybody on the R side is jockeying for a new position as well. Little Toddy doesn't really want to be Ag Commissioner. He was just using it as a stepping stone to something higher.

Sonia

[onestepforward]

10. I glad too.

He has a lot to offer Texas and we need him!

[texastoast]

5. Farouk is a good guy

But I am doubtful of his chances here.

I'm just disappointed that the Dems apparently couldn't see that Hank could have won Texas (had they really rallied around him--he already had a heck of a good rural grassroots base even in much of Bush country--without their help) and that Bill could win in Washington. I just really had hoped to see two good candidates in places where they would especially shine and be effective.

I'm thinking it is a damned shame right now.

[Aragorn]

7. agree

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/120509dntexwhitegov.31e19dd97.html

[tbyg52]

8. >>Farouk is a good guy

Really? All I know is what I see on TV, never heard of him until he moved his manufacturing here, but my initial take is that he moved his factory (*back* from China, please note), so that he could run for Governor, and is now trying to buy said office. That's just what it looks like from the peanut gallery.....

[texastoast]

9. i do thin he is a good giy

My son has grown up with Farouk's grandson. They seem like a very nice, community-minded family. And good on him for moving a couple thousand jobs to Texas. And Farouk is not the only candidate that has the money to buy an office.

[tbyg52]

11. Oh, I know he's not the only one who can buy an office

You almost can't get elected any other way, and I guess it's better than being beholden to your corporate masters. I guess maybe "transparent" is the word I'd use for his timing in moving the factory back. I wonder how long it had been in China?

[johncoby2]

12. Shamsi has no idea of what he is doing

Geez. The man is not a Democrat. He doesnt have any idea of how to run a government entity. Dont give this man any frickin credit. For gosh sakes.

[texastoast]

13. Apparently

Hank doesn't really like him much either.


http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/9699/hank-gilbert-endorses-shami-drops-gubernatorial-bid-files-for-ag-commissioner