Perry Wins Texas Governor’s Race

AUSTIN (AP) – Republican Gov. Rick Perry defeated Democrat Chris Bell and two flamboyant independent candidates Tuesday in a peculiar, crowded race for Texas governor.

Perry had 41 percent of the vote after early returns, compared with 29 percent for Bell and 18 percent for independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Comedian and musician Kinky Friedman, also an independent, had 11 percent.

It appeared that Perry would win the historic race without a majority of the vote. There is no provision for a runoff for governor in the Texas general election. “The governor is heartened and humbled by his re-election,” Perry spokesman Robert Black said. “He looks forward to the next four years.”

Perry, seeking his second full term, led in polls throughout the campaign, though Bell and Strayhorn each claimed in the last few days to be catching up. Perry also had the fundraising advantage, and Bell struggled to compete with both Perry and Strayhorn in buying television advertising.

At Bell’s election night party in Houston, a live band played country music and Bell briefly addressed the crowd early in the evening. “All I can report is what I’ve seen on CNN and that is that it looks like it’s going to be a great night for Democrats all around the country,” he said, adding that early returns produced “some very encouraging signs” for a possible upset of Perry.

Strayhorn remained in an Austin hotel room as early returns were reported. Friedman waged a colorful and unconventional campaign – with the help of musicians Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura – but he acknowledged last week it would be almost impossible to pull off a victory.

His supporters, most clad in blue jeans and T-shirts, gathered Tuesday night at Scholz Garten, an Austin beer hall and restaurant. Wearing his usual black cowboy hat and clothes, Friedman arrived shortly after the polls closed. He shook hands with supporters, then had a beer.

Preliminary exit poll results showed that Perry would have had a slight edge over Bell in a two-way race. Nearly half of the Strayhorn voters and more than one-third the Friedman voters said they wouldn’t have voted in a two-way race.

About two-fifths of those who voted for Strayhorn and Friedman would have backed Bell in a two-way race. The polling was conducted for The Associated Press and television networks.

By KELLEY SHANNON AP Political Writer

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-11-07-06 2211EST