AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The dash to the Texas primaries is under way after the passage of the Monday deadline for filing for the March 2 ballots.
Leading the lineup for the eight intense weeks of campaigning are the two major Republican contenders for governor, Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. In the Democratic race for governor, former Houston Mayor Bill White faces wealthy Houston businessman Farouk Shami and several lesser-known candidates.
Just before Monday’s deadline, more candidates for other statewide offices and legislative and congressional seats presented their political paperwork.
Texas Democrats have been trying to work their way back into statewide political contention for a decade. Republicans have held all statewide offices since 1999 and both chambers of the Legislature since 2003.