With autumn now upon us, Kay Bailey Hutchison is likely next on the list of Senate resignations. While Kay's open seat will be replaced by the Republican governor, Texas requires a quick special election -- and it's then that Dems might actually have a shot.
Democrats have a strong candidate running to replace whomever is put in by the governor. You may have met him at Netroots Nation this year: Houston mayor Bill White.
Bill White:
- Extremely popular mayor of Houston (winning re-elections by landslides, 90% and 86% of the vote in 2005 and 2007)
- Responsible for re-locating tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors to Houston
- Led light rail efforts in Houston
- Former Chair of the Democratic Party in Texas
- Served as Deputy Secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration
- Presented with the JFK Profile in Courage Award in 2007
- Netroots Nation attendee, and viable candidate according to folks like Nate Silver
Nate Silver was impressed by Bill White when they met at Netroots Nation:
White is a sharp guy in an unmistkably Texan, slow-moving sort of way. The basic mathematical argument he presents is reasonably compelling: although Republicans have a very slight partisan identification advantage in Texas, White is rather popular in the Houston area, where he was re-elected in his last two terms with 90 and 86 percent of the vote, and the Houston media market represents about one-quarter of Texas' electorate. Although Texas would hold a "jungle primary" in the event of a speical election, White anticipates that the race would quickly boil down to a two-candidate affair: himself and whomever Rick Perry nominates to be Hutchison's replacement -- likely a very conservative Republican.
Burnt Orange Report was impressed as well:
Texas should take pride in having sent one of the most engaging and motivated Democratic candidates to Netroots Nation this year. That would be Houston Mayor Bill White, candidate for the anticipated special election for Kay Bailey Hutchison's Senate seat. The Mayor came up to Pittsburgh during the annual gathering to address national bloggers and make the case as to why Democrats can and will win statewide in Texas.
Here's some love from Netroots Nation attendees via Twitter during and after Bill White's appeareance:
Selected Comments from Twitter during the Energy Panel (0.00 / 0)
* RT @drgrist: At "energy security" panel, watching Houston mayor (& Senate candidate) Bill White talk abt kick-ass work in his city. #nn09
* @Drgrist: Bill White: Americans are ahead of politicians. They want bold energy policy. Not willing to pay tons more, but don't need to. #nn09
* RT @ndn729: Bill White, Houston Myr is serious abt energy for right reasons, and would make a great senator from the lone star state #nn09
* RT @drgrist: Bill White: we need to back out coal w/ cleaner sources. (Wo0t!) Wind most ready; solar thermal getting there. #nn09
* RT @drgrist: Bill White: I don't like "unfunded mandates," but building codes in #aces make sense bc energy waste is an externality - we all pay. #nn09
* RT @Populista: Awesome wonky mayor of Houston and Senate candidate Bill White is on Twitter. Follow him. @TX4BillWhite
* RT @Populista: Correction. Candidate tweets @billwhitefortx, staff and supporters tweet @TX4BillWhite (via @katybacon)
* RT @ndn729: Bill white knocked my socks off so completely I am now unable to locate my socks. He spoke very clearly about energy. #nn09
* RT @davidmauro: The Energy Security panel at #nn09 has turned into a Bill White love fest.
* RT @Populista: @davidmauro That's because everyone loves Bill White.
* RT @enviroknow: @tx4billwhite - "You are a force multiplier for informed debate" - to bloggers at #nn09
* RT @enviroknow: #nn09 @tx4billwhite has to leave early for the airport. (/me this guy is the real deal, worthy of support for TX-Sen.)
* RT @enviroknow: Jon Powers encouraging people to donate $50 to @tx4billwhite
Katy Bacon
Bill White for Texas Team
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by: KatyBacon @ Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 09:05:11 AM CDT
Currently, Nate Silver ranks our chances in Texas a tad better than in Louisiana, and to my eyes Bill White would be a much bigger victory for the Netroots than Charlie Melancon.
Texas is a red state, but Bill White has managed to buck that trend in his three elections to the state's largest city. And for a state with a governor that throws around talk of secession, Bill looks like a smart, responsible guy, and a great opportunity for Democrats.
What do you think?
Bill White on ActBlue, and on the Web
Update: Kossack Bill White has just started an Act Blue page called "Bill Whites for Bill White", which is a place for people named Bill White to donate. I love that idea, and it's already over 100 bucks! Here it is!
Update 2: Wow - this is my first time on the rec list. Thanks a bunch everybody!