By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-878474.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Today is the last day for Texans candidates to file as candidates for state and local offices, and both Democrats and Republicans are watching for last minute surprises. KERA's Shelley Kofler has more on why Democrats believe their lineup could put a dent in the state's Republican domination.
Most of the attention has been at the top of the ticket where Governor Rick Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and newcomer Debra Medina have filed for the GOP Gubernatorial nomination.
Houston Mayor Bill White and millionaire businessman Farouk Shami are competing with three others for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
Democrats have not held a single statewide office in Texas for more than a decade, but White's entrance into the Governor's race has raised Democrats' hopes of ending their exile. White is politically connected, has money to campaign and is well-liked in voter-rich Harris County. Harvey Kronberg publishes the political newsletter the Quorum Report and says White would be a strong contender with the potential of helping other Democrats win.
Kronberg: With Bill White at the top of the ticket it is realistic. It's not a slam dunk by any stretch of the imagination. This is still a Republican state but it is still 6 to 8 points less Republican than it was a decade ago.
Kronberg says a modest surge in Hispanic voting could give some Democrats a needed edge.
To view a complete list of candidates who filed visit the following websites:
*Texas Republican Party at www.texasgop.org
*Texas Democratic Party at www.txdemocrats.org