AUSTIN — Calling himself the "only true man of the people" in the race, Austin author-entertainer Kinky Friedman plans to launch his Democratic campaign for governor today with a statewide media tour starting in Austin.
Reached Monday, Friedman had little to say about the other Democratic candidates, saying his main objective is ousting Republican Gov. Rick Perry.
He also spun off a campaign line from the dust-up this year over Perry's much-publicized suggestions that some Texans are so fed up with Washington that they might want to secede from the rest of the nation. "I think it's time for Texas to secede from Rick Perry," Friedman said.
Making his second run for governor, Friedman would bring to five the number of Democrats seeking the top state office in 2010. The other candidates include Fort Worth attorney and former U.S. Ambassador Tom Schieffer, Fort Worth school teacher Felix Alvarado, Garland therapist for the blind Mark Thompson and rancher Hank Gilbert of Whitehouse.
The widening Democratic race has been overshadowed by the Republican primary showdown between Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, but Friedman could liven things up with his arsenal of irreverent quips and one-liners.
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