Bill White spoke with The Texas Tribune's Editor in Chief, Evan Smith, about his vision for the state and how he plans to earn the support of voters across the political spectrum.

White spoke about his approach to leadership saying, "Real leadership is not dividing people into teams, a red team or a blue team, and playing people against each other. That is not leadership. Leadership is finding common ground."

White criticized Rick Perry's management of the state budget and the unfunded mandates coming out of Austin. White contrasted this with his ability to work with local officials to find efficiencies that cut the costs of government without sacrificing services. "We know how to squeeze the value out of taxpayer dollars," said White while citing a referendum he helped pass in Houston that imposed a limit on how much property tax revenues could rise in a year.

When asked how he expected to win, White spoke about his track record of getting things done in Houston. "Texans are ready for someone who can move this state forward," said White.