Texas Democratic Governor Candidates Debate

Watch the archived version of the debate.

Farouk Shami was certainly more quotable tonight, but promised the sky. Bill White was far from flashy and came off dull at times, but showed the potential to appeal to a broad electorate. — Michael Olson, Public Media Texas

7:54 — Texas Tribune Ross Ramsey The question is whether Democrats are electable in Texas.

White: “I don’t htink the New Orleans Saints had ever won a Super Bowl… this race isn’t going to be a party… and it isn’t going to be about personalities…”

He pitches his record as mayor. “We need someone who can bring people together.” White sounds like he landed right on a cue card from one of his commercials. He was loaded for that one.

@dpjennings No electric bill in 10 years! Vote Shami! #txgov #txgovdebate

7:53 — White: I do think there is a future for some green energy, but you would not want to be – in a hot summer day – in the summer only depending on solar and wind energy.”

7:50 Shami: My aim for Texas with in 10 years you will not have an electric bill.

7:48 — White says he opposed a gas tax hike
7:46 Shami says he would raise the gas tax

Do you support the death penalty?
“Yes” — Bill White
“Yes, … [but] Not as it currently stands” — Farouk Shami

7:41 — candidates talk about their education polices. Nothing new from their standard talking points. See their issue pages below.

7:40 –@danjoyce @billwhitefortx just gave me the chills. #bw4tx #txgov #txgovdebate

7:37 White says he would not institute a death penalty moratorium. “No. Not in all cases. Because that would disrespect the the juries and victims where there is no question in those cases about the evidence used to convict.”

7:37 Shami comes out in support for death penalty moratorium. “We can not be bragging how many people we execute and execute them innocently.”

White, on e-verify: We implemented it in Houston. “I don’t think that a state should be creating mandates on what private employers should do. That should be a matter of federal law.”

Shami: “With out Mexicans is like a day without sunshine in our state”

7:29 — White : “We have do a better job. This can’t be a wedge issue.” We need to involve border communities in decisions that impact them.

7:28 — Shami: “We should not have a wall between us and Mexico. … Mexico is our best neighbor.”

7:26 –Shami to White on clean air “Would you support a moratorium on digging for gas here?” White says he support the rules we have on Benzine emissions. Discusses his report on air quality in Houston.

@TexasObserver Shami saying White is all talk, no action.

7:23 White applauds Shami on his passion for green energy. What adds that he’s been working on this for 20 years. White asks what jobs Shami created in green energy before running for gov. Shami sights his work with NASA. And his El Paso, Houston and Dallas plans. “I am the man of action and I’m doing it as we speak,” Shami replies.

7:20 How would each of you deal with the budget shortfall?
Shami says he will increase revenues, cut waste. “I know how to balance the budget. … Unlike my opponent.”

White says that he’s built surpluses while cutting property taxes.