Hank Gilbert has won the Democratic Primary for Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
Precincts reporting – 100%
Hank Gilbert – 52.32% (308,884 votes)
Kinky Friedman – 47.68% (281,448 )
This race wouldn’t have been possible without former Houston Mayor Bill White. At the start of the campaign season Gilbert and Friedman were both running for governor as Democrats. His a rancher roots got the best of him and Gilbert started feeling claustrophobic in a crowded field and decided to take another shot at the race he lost in 2006. White joined the governor’s race and the Democratic establishment coalesced around his candidacy. Kinky bowed out and challenged Gilbert.
Friedman is a musician and author who ran as an independent for governor in 2006 using Bill Hillsman as his consultant. He was hoping to channel some of the pre-Tea Party era magic that Hillsman captured with the late Sen. Paul Wellstone and Jessie Ventura. The most important thing to know about Kinky is that he has the blessing of Willie Nelson.
In 2006 Gilbert garnered an impressive (by Democratic standards) 42% of the vote. He lost to the Republican incumbent in this race, Todd Staples.
Friedman spent $212,957 of the $240,536 he raised during the primary. Gilbert raised about the same, but was more frugal during the campaign. He raised $240,144 and only spent $131,248.
Gilbert’s rematch against Staples is expected to be tough and will be a good barometer of the political winds in the state. Staples didn’t have a primary challenger and has more than $500,000 in campaign funds.
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