Governor’s Race Could Get ‘Kinky’ Again

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Humorist and author Kinky Friedman may run for Texas governor again — but if he does, he says he’s serious this time.

First, he’d run with the help of a major party _ the Democrats _ instead of launching an independent campaign like he did in 2006.

Friedman told The Associated Press he learned some hard lessons from his fourth-place defeat to Republican Gov. Rick Perry.

Friedman, during the phone interview with AP, said he found out he couldn’t win as an independent — and that he shouldn’t crack so many jokes.

Friedman says the 2010 GOP primary battle between Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison seems to have Democrats fearful about committing to a run for governor.

Meanwhile, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports former U.S. ambassador to Australia and Japan Tom Schieffer is considering a run for governor as a Democrat.

The newspaper also quoted a Democratic strategist as saying state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio may run in the Democratic primary.

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