Hank Gilbert announced today that he is exiting the Governor’s race to pursue another bid for Agricultural Commissioner.
Gilbert’s announcement came shortly after Houston Mayor Bill White announced he will run for the Governor’s office.
“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,” Gilbert stated in his announcement.
White had been running for Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s Senate seat, but after Tom Schieffer’s abrupt departure from the governor’s race last week, speculation was that White would switch his campaign to the Governor’s race.
White is a highly popular mayor with a record of compassionate leadership, his handling of the thousands of refugees that fled to Houston in the wake of Hurricane Katrina has earned him many accolades and awards.
Hank Gilbert, however, did not endorse Bill White, instead he says he is proud to throw his support behind Farouk Shami, a Palestinian-American hair care mogul.
