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Issue 98, Volume 75
thedailycougar.com
Perry remains ahead in polls Gubernatorial race for Texas primary is running close to end
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By Hiba Adi THE DAILY COUGAR The primary for the 2010 Texas governor’s race is quickly approaching. The race is still moving for the elections taking place March 2 between Republican candidates Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Professor takes on new position
and Debra Medina as well as for Democratic candidates Bill White and Farouk Shami. A recent poll published in the Houston Chronicle stated that two-term Governor Perry leads with 45 percent among likely Republican voters, and threeterm U.S. Senator Hutchinson trails with 29 percent. Tea Party activist Medina came in last with 17 percent, and 8 percent were undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.
A frequently asked question that is crucial to these primaries is Perry’s public opinion polls as governor. The polls of likely Texas voters in the Chronicle stated that 46 percent approve of the job Perry is doing as governor and 38 percent disapprove. Blum & Weprin Associates Inc. conducted the poll for the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News, the Austin American-Statesman, the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Upcoming profiles Tuesday: Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison Wednesday: Democrat Bill White Thursday: Republican Rick Perry Friday: Democrat Debra Medina In the telephone survey, 2,017 Texas adults were interviewed, including 1,508 registered voters, according to the Chronicle. news@thedailycougar.com
GUBERNATORIAL PROFILE
Shami brings business to race
By Aimee Buras THE DAILY COUGAR
By Neal Dasgupta THE DAILY COUGAR
Tracy Hester has been named director of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center at the UH Law Center. The UH adjunct professor has been a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP for 16 years, leading the law firm’s Houston office environmental group as senior counsel. “By joining the University of Houston Law Center faculty and directing the clinic, I’ll have a chance to focus on critical issues,” Hester said. “These issues include the production and regulation of energy and environmental protection in Houston, where we have the world’s leading talent and thinkers already working in the private sector, academia and environmental advocates.” UH Law Center Dean Raymond Nimmer said that he thinks Hester is highly qualified for the job. “Professor Hester is an acknowledged national expert in environmental law,” Nimmer said. “He brings both practical knowledge and intellectual power to his new position.” Hester said that changes are needed and that he plans to bring recognition to the EENR Center. “Frankly, the EENR Center needs to step out and get more attention for its work and people,” Hester said. “It’s a great institute and deserves more notice than it currently gets.” Hester plans to achieve his set goals to attract great recognition to the center. “I want to help build the EENR Center into a world-class forum for tackling environmental and energy
Farouk Shami brought a unique business element to the race when he announced his plan to run for Texas governor as a Democrat in November. Shami is the founder of Farouk Systems, Inc., a global hair care corporation that produces products such as CHI and BioSilk. His company is an international powerhouse that exports products to more than 50 countries. Shami said despite not having any political experience, his experience in international business is more essential to improving the state’s economy than any experience in politics can provide. He said his business savvy would be helpful in creating jobs and improving the state’s overall economy. “Leadership is important in any business or campaign,” Shami said. “Building a political team, working with the grassroots, balancing the budget and innovating ideas are all important issues. I will use my international experience in business to export more to other countries and bring more business back to Texas.” Shami said he plans to rid Texas of nonsense politics, which he thinks are pushing the state in the wrong direction. “I think Texas needs to be run by a businessman, not a politician,” he said. “Politicians have proven to be failures in running the state, and it is time for a successful businessperson to serve the state.” Dealing with economical issues would be one of Shami’s top priorities if he were to be elected. “In my first day in office, I will put everybody to work,” Shami
see HESTER, page 6
While Perry has a great lead, he hasn’t closed enough votes to avoid a run off with opponent Hutchinson. The Chronicle poll also asked voters about possible future opponents, White and Perry, considering the large lead White has over his opponent, Shami. According to a TPM Poll tracker, Shami stands at 11 percent and White at 50 percent. The match up ran close with Perry up 43 percent to White’s 37 percent.
said. “I want everybody to work. I will create jobs as we go.” An important policy on Shami’s agenda includes education. “I want to see the State Board of Education composed of education experts; not just politicians,” he said. “Those are the people that need to be in charge of the curriculum.” Shami also wants to do away with the TAKS test and wants to make sure teachers get better pay and provide them with more creative control. “I also want to work to reduce our drop-out rate, create a tuition cap and make community college free and education affordable for every student,” Shami said. Shami downplayed any criticism of his debate with opponent Bill White on Feb. 8. He said it gave him more confidence in his campaign. Shami came to America from Palestine in 1965 to attend college and become an educator. He enrolled in the University of Arkansas, but later dropped out to pursue a career as a hairdresser. After working in a number of salons, Shami opened his first shop in Lafayette, La. in 1972. He worked in the salon business for almost 20 years before moving on to the beauty industry in the early 1990s. His company built an 80,000 sq. foot manufacturing plant in Houston along with two warehouses. Apart from his successful business resume, Shami is also an active philanthropist whose generosity has been well documented. He travelled to New York to help people who were affected by 9/11. He also donated millions of dollars to shelters in the Houston area to help people affected by Hurricane
COURTESY OF FAROUK SHAMI FOR GOVERNOR THE DAILY COUGAR
Farouk Shami, founder and chairman of Farouk Systems, announced his run for governor in November. Shami is a Democratic nominee for governor in the March 2 Texas primary. Katrina and Rita and worked with the City of Galveston to provide hygiene products for residents affected by Hurricane Ike. Many call Shami’s journey from poor immigrant to successful businessman a story of achieving the “American Dream.”
“People are tired of politicians and lip service,” Shami said. “People are impressed by my thinking outside the box and my ideas. I am a breath of fresh air. A man of action, not words.” news@thedailycougar.com