On Tuesday, Democrats will choose their nominee for governor in one of the most highly anticipated statewide runoffs for the party in years.
In March, Democrats sent two candidates to a runoff for governor out of a nine candidate field. Lupe Valdez, a former Dallas County sheriff, and Andrew White, a Houston businessman, emerged from the field. Both candidates have unique qualifications and have put on one of the most competitive Democratic runoffs in years.
Valdez, 70, served as sheriff for Dallas County from 2005 until 2017, resigning last year to seek the governorship. According to her website, at the time of her tenure, Valdez was the only Latina sheriff in the United States and one of a small number of LGBTQ elected officials. Valdez is a veteran of the U.S. Army and holds degrees from Southern Nazarene University and the University of Texas at Arlington. In the March 6th primary, Valdez received 42 percent of the vote.
Meanwhile, White, 45, is a businessman from Houston. White is the son of the late Governor Mark White and lived in the Texas Governor's Mansion for part of his childhood. White is currently president of Sweat Equity Partners, LP and the founder of Allied Warranty and Lone Star Repair. White has also served in executive positions for companies servicing water and fire repair. White is a former volunteer firefighter and holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Texas. White received 27 percent in the March 6th primary.
The winner of the Democratic Party's nomination for governor will face Republican Greg Abbott and Libertarian Mark Tippetts in November.
