Annie Nelson, Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman
www.scntx.com
by Stephanie Flemmons
Kinky Friedman recently announced he would make a second attempt to run for governor, but this time as a democrat.
The country club was Friedman’s first attempt to raise campaign money in hopes of gathering enough support to win the primary.
Nelson, who claims he’s known Friedman for “20,000 years,” said he sticks behind him for his “great ideas.”
“Kinky is willing to listen to all ideas and take the best one and run with them,” Nelson said. “Texas needs to do some things and set some examples like we always do for the rest of the world to follow.”
Although Nelson said he’s not always involved in politics, he comes around the political scene when someone he trusts is running.
“I like to stay around and voice my opinions — who I think would be best,” he said. “I think Kinky would be a good governor.”
In 2005, Friedman announced his candidacy for the 2006 governor’s race, running as an independent. He came out with a 12 percent vote, raising in excess of $5 million.
Friedman said this second attempt at running for governor will be different from four years ago.
“I intend to smile more and play the games by the rules,” he said. “I’m a democrat. I’m going to be myself. Be you or be no one.”
He believes his background as a musician and author will set him aside from his opponents.
“I’m a musician and it’s a real step down to become a politician,” he said. “As a musician I may just blurt out the truth, which is something you’ll never get from Rick [Perry] or Kay [Bailey Hutchinson]. They’ve been in politics too long. It’s time for Texas to separate.”
Friedman said the 2010 campaign platform is rooted in common sense and centered on reform including ethics reform, education reform and insurance reform. If elected, he said he will emphasize a ban on toll roads.
“I don’t consider myself a politician. I do think it will be transformational, and I think I can fix Texas and really help the people of the state,” Friedman said. “It all goes back to the people. Power to the people.”
About 200 supporters and campaign volunteers attended the event. Nelson and Friedman mingled with the crowd, exchanging jokes, chewing on cigars and expressing gratitude for the individuals who came out to support his campaign