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Key Race: Texas Governor

Congressional Quarterly Risk Rating: Republican Favored

Primary Results

April 11, 2006

Democratic Primary Results
Chris Bell 64%
Bob Gammage 29%
Rashad Jafer 8%

Republican Primary Results
Rick Perry 84%
Larry Kilgore 8%
Rhett R. Smith 5%
Star Locke 4%

Democratic Candidate

Chris Bell

Chris Bell

Occupation
Journalist, Lawyer
Public Service
Houston City Council, Congress
Education
B.A. University of Texas; Law Degree, South Texas College of Law
Born
November 23, 1959, Abilene, TX, USA
Residence
Houston, TX
Religion
Episcopal
» Web Site
» Key Votes in Congress
» Full Voting Record

Independent Candidates

Carole Keeton Strayhorn

Carole Keeton Strayhorn

Occupation
Teacher, Current State Comptroller
Public Service
Austin School Board, Mayor of Austin, State Railroad Commissioner, State Comptroller
Education
B.A., University of Texas
Born
Austin, TX, USA
Residence
Austin, TX
Religion
Methodist
» Web Site
Kinky Friedman

Kinky Friedman

Occupation
Singer, Songwriter and Novelist
Public Service
U.S. Peace Corps
Education
B.A., University of Texas
» Web Site

Republican Candidate

Rick Perry

Rick Perry (Incumbent)

Occupation
Current Governor
Public Service
U.S. Air Force, Governor, State Legislature, Lieutenant Governor, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Education
B.A., Texas A & M University
Elected
Assumed office 2000; Elected 2002
Born
Paint Creek, TX, United States
Residence
Austin, TX
Religion
Methodist
» Web Site
Texas

Texas

Demographic Data (2007 Census)
  • Population: 23,904,380
  • Male: 49.8%
  • Female: 50.2%
  • Median Age: 33.2
  • 18 Years and Over: 72.3%
  • 65 Years and Over: 10.0%
  • Employed: 133.0%
  • Median Household Income: $47,548
  • Families Below Poverty Level: 12.8%
  • Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 10.5%
  • (of those over 25)
» Full Demographic Report
Past Elections
  • 2004 Presidential Election:
  • Bush (R) 61%
  • Kerry (D) 38%
  • Badnarik (L) 1%
  • 2002 Gubernatorial Election:
  • Perry (R) 58%
  • Sanchez (R) 40%
  • Other 2%
State Political Profile
» Read Full Profile

Note: This list of candidates is not comprehensive. Candidates listed on this page were chosen by washingtonpost.com reporters and editors based on an analysis of their overall competitiveness in this race. Candidates will be added and removed from this page as the race unfolds.

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