For Immediate Release
Thursday Jan. 14, 2010
As Republicans debate, Valley leaders unite behind Bill White
Legislators say Bill White is the right choice for state's future
HOUSTON, TEXAS - State Senators Eddie Lucio, Jr., and Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, and State Representatives Rene Oliveira, Ed Lucio III, Aaron Peña, Veronica Gonzalez and Armando "Mondo" Martinez today endorsed former Houston Mayor Bill White as the best choice for the state's next governor. As republican gubernatorial candidates debate, Democratic leaders are united behind Bill White.
The Valley leaders are among 12 State Senators and 66 State Representatives endorsing White. Photos, videos, and quotes from endorsing Representatives and Senators can be viewed at www.billwhitefortexas.com/united. They represent areas from Lufkin to El Paso, Wichita Falls to McAllen and include both rural and urban districts.
These legislators, with deep ties across Brownsville and McAllen, believe Texans deserve a Governor who will move Texas forward.
Many cited White's business background and no-nonsense approach as the right tools to create jobs and strengthen the economy for the benefit of all Texans.
Representative Oliveira of Brownsville said, "I'm proud to endorse Bill White for governor. He understands the needs of the entire state, not just those of the privileged few. He is a successful businessman who has proven himself in the public arena as Houston's mayor, and will ably represent Texas as its next governor. Texas needs Bill White's experience and sound business judgment as we face tough times ahead."
Representative Peña of Edinburg added, "I have followed Bill since his work with the Clinton Administration and have seen how effective he is at bringing people together. As the State Party chair, Bill was able to lead a very diverse group of Democrats with ease," Pena said. He showed the same strong leadership for people in Houston. As a person from South Texas, who has lived here my whole life, I know Bill White will work hard for all the citizens of Texas."
Representative Gonzales of McAllen also emphasized Bill's strong leadership and commitment to all Texans,saying, "Bill White has a proven record of creating jobs, combating crime, lowering pollution and working for the good of all people. At this critical time, our State would greatly benefit from the leadership skills Bill White used to create more jobs in Houston than in 37 states combined. We need a governor with his common-sense approach and his understanding of the values of ordinary Texans. We need Bill White for governor of Texas."
The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. Since then, he's been re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, Houston led the nation's cities in job growth, adding more jobs than sixteen states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White also started a special initiative that gives returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.
For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. To be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.
Contact:
Katy Bacon
katy@billwhitefortexas.com
713.613.5326
