Bill White named Democratic nominee in Texas gubernatorial race

When the Associated Press announced at 9 p.m. that Bill White had won the Democratic nomination for the Texas gubernatorial race, the Legends Ballroom in the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston erupted in hollers and whoops - a sea of miniature Texas flags waving enthusiastically across the heads of the crowd. The wine flowed freely as people danced to the Black-Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling [Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night]"; and remembered Texas Independence Day with songs like Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." The mood was one of victory and hope.

Bill White was the mayor of Houston from 2004 to 2010, and was recently succeeded by Annise Parker, Houston's second female and first openly gay mayor. He was nationally recognized for his relief and aid efforts during Hurricanes Katrina and Ike and the progress made in crime prevention in the city during his three terms.

"[White's] platform is community-minded and his focus is not group-oriented, but for the nation," said Janet Poe, a LPC therapist and attendee of the reception.

White was one of seven candidates running for the party's nomination, including Montgomery County's Farouk Shami, owner of Houston-based Farouk Systems, who followed White's 75.6% statewide lead with 12.1% of the votes. White will go up against Rick Perry, the Republican party's nominee, in the general gubernatorial elections on November 2, 2010.

"He'll stand his ground. It will be a challenge, but people will see how practical he is," said Jessica Siewert, outreach director of the Houston Museum of Culture and a volunteer on White's campaign. "What he did for Houston [as mayor] was the first time I saw the result of a politician in action."

After Senator Rodney Ellis of the Texas State Senate introduced him, the man of the hour took the stage beside his three children and wife (whose age-defying countenance was notable enough for us to mention in this report). He started with what was to be one of many slights to Governor Perry, saying that Texas deserves a governor more interested in the Texan people than his own career, and went on to talk about how he would bring this shift back to local government.

"My [administration] is committed to honesty, integrity, competence, and a decentralized, accountable government," said White. He went on to talk about how he'd tackle education issues and the state's rising drop-out rate. He then delivered his gratitude to all his supporters, the Texan people and even those running against Governor Perry in the Republican primary, whose "courage" he admired with calculated respect. And of course, what election results reception would be complete without one last-ditch attempt at garnering the independent and stray Republican votes.

"I think people in Texas want a change, and I think Bill brings that vision," said Maggie Murphy, a student at Rice University attending the reception.

"I am proud of the Lone Star State: a place with big horizons and big dreams...It's time this state moved forward, don't you think?" White asked of the crowd. The boisterous applause spoke for itself.