Gilbert doesn't hide his contempt in describing his view of Friedman's qualifications. "He knows absolutely nothing about agriculture, agri-business or ag-issues," Gilbert said. "I have spent my whole life dealing with these issues." But Friedman led Gilbert 32 percent to 27 percent in a recent University of Texas-Texas Tribune poll. And Friedman has drawn endorsements from The Dallas Morning News and Star-Telegram editorial boards. Friedman says he knows enough to get the job done and has surrounded himself with knowledgeable people, including former Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower. He preaches a political style he attributes to former President Bill Clinton: Find a few issues you believe in -- biodiesel fuel and farmer's co-ops are examples of his -- and push them relentlessly. On other issues, find smart people to guide you. "If you're talking about eradicating the fever tick, don't pretend that you're an expert on that," he said. "Bring someone to the table who is not political, who has integrity and expertise. You have to be able to shut up, get out of the way and let the people work." Author, Musician, and candidate for Governor of Texas, Kinky Friedman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia in the 1960's.
Kinky Friedman and Hank Gilbert, dueling Democratic candidates for agriculture commissioner, appeared in North Texas this week
Candidates' campaigns are a study in contrasts
Posted Friday, Feb. 19, 2010
Background: Born in Houston, Gilbert has lived on his family's ranch in East Texas since he was 10. He and his wife and two sons raise and market registered Simbrah cattle. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture education from Texas A&M and later taught high school agriculture in East Texas. Gilbert created the East Texas Jr. Invitational Livestock Expo in Smith County and is the immediate past-president of Walnut Grove Water Supply, a 2,500 member-owned cooperative. Gilbert ran for agriculture commissioner in 2006 and was a candidate for governor in 2009 before changing campaigns to run for agriculture commissioner.
How to contact: hankgilbert.com; contacthank@hankgilbert.com
Kinky Friedman
Age: 65
Residence: Ranch in Bandera
Occupation: Writer, musician and entertainer
Background: Friedman was born in Chicago but has lived in Texas since the early 1950s, when his family moved to a ranch in the Hill Country. He graduated as a psychology major from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966 and served two years in the Peace Corps in Borneo. In a musical career that started with his first band at UT-Austin, Friedman was prominent in Austin's growing music scene in the 1970s, drawing a following with his often satirical lyrics. He became an author of detective novels in the 1980s. He ran unsuccessfully for justice of the peace in Kerrville in 1986 and drew national attention a decade later as an independent candidate in the 2006 governor's race. He initially ran for governor as a Democrat in 2010 but switched to become a candidate for agriculture commissioner.
How to contact: www.kinkyfriedman.com.
PoliTex blog: From North Texas to D.C., our insiders take you beyond the usual rhetoric
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By ALEX BRANCH
abranch@star-telegram.com
Kinky Friedman and Hank Gilbert, dueling Democratic candidates for agriculture commissioner, appeared in North Texas this week.
Gilbert talked globalization with Parker County Democrats and attended a meet-and-greet in downtown Fort Worth
Friedman played music at the Granada Theater in Dallas' Lower Greenville.
Such are the contrasting campaigns of the East Texas rancher and the cigar-chewing humorist and musician from the Hill Country. With Election Day looming March 2, Gilbert is trying to sell himself as the only serious candidate while Friedman has carried on in his distinctive style.
Gilbert doesn't hide his contempt in describing his view of Friedman's qualifications.
"He knows absolutely nothing about agriculture, agri-business or ag-issues," Gilbert said. "I have spent my whole life dealing with these issues."
But Friedman led Gilbert 32 percent to 27 percent in a recent University of Texas-Texas Tribune poll. And Friedman has drawn endorsements from The Dallas Morning News and Star-Telegram editorial boards.
Friedman says he knows enough to get the job done and has surrounded himself with knowledgeable people, including former Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower. He preaches a political style he attributes to former President Bill Clinton: Find a few issues you believe in -- biodiesel fuel and farmer's co-ops are examples of his -- and push them relentlessly.
On other issues, find smart people to guide you.
"If you're talking about eradicating the fever tick, don't pretend that you're an expert on that," he said. "Bring someone to the table who is not political, who has integrity and expertise. You have to be able to shut up, get out of the way and let the people work."
So will voters will take him seriously?
"Well, that's what we're going to find out," Friedman said. "They will if they want to win in November." Not all Democrats are so sure. Ed Martin, a longtime Texas Democratic strategist, said he finds it difficult to imagine an informed Democrat stepping into a polling booth and selecting Friedman as a serious candidate.
He noted that Gilbert has roped in "handfuls of endorsements" from statewide Democratic officeholders and organizations. Primary elections are partisan events, and voters tend to look to fellow partisans for guidance, he said.
"I just have difficulty seeing [Friedman] as a serious officeholder," Martin said.
Gilbert may have obstacles to overcome with voters, too. Both Friedman and Gilbert initially started to run for governor but dropped out. After Gilbert switched races, he accepted $150,000 in campaign contributions from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Farouk Shami, raising questions of whether Gilbert was, in effect, paid to leave the race.
Gilbert has said the contributions had nothing to do with his decision to change races.
In January, it was reported that Gilbert paid a $100 fine in 2001 for a bounced check, which he attributed to an accounting mix-up at a small business he then ran.
