any party's primary election or runoff election, or participated in any other third-party's convention. Independent candidates Should an independent gubernatorial candidate seek ballot access in the state of Texas, the candidate must meet the following requirements: The candidate must obtain signatures from registered voters, in an amount equalling at least one percent of the total votes cast in the prior gubernatorial election, the same as for third-party access. The signatures must come from registered voters who did not vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries or in any runoff elections for governor. The signatures must come from registered voters who have not signed a petition for any other independent candidate. If a supporter signed more than one petition, only the first signature counts. The signatures cannot be obtained until after the primary election (if either political party primary requires a runoff election, the signatures cannot be obtained until after such runoff election) and the petition must be filed no later than 5:00 pm (Austin time, the filing must be with the Texas Secretary of State) on the 30th day after the scheduled runoff primary election day (even if none is held). Write-in candidates In the event a candidate does not qualify for independent status, the person may still run as a write-in candidate. The candidate must either: pay a $3,750 filing fee, or submit 5,000 qualified signatures. However, the petition must be filed by 5:00 pm of the 70th day before general election day, and cannot be filed earlier than 30 days before this deadline. Republican primary Candidates Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Senator Debra Medina, political activist Rick Perry, incumbent governor Endorsements Polling Note: polls used different sample sizes and citizen groups. A candidate must have a majority of the vote (>50%) to avoid a runoff with their second place opponent. Results Democratic primary Candidates Declared Alma Ludivina Aguado, physician Felix Alvarado, educator and U.S. Air Force veteran Bill Dear, private investigator Clement E. Glenn, associate professor of education at Prairie View A&M University Star Locke, homebuilder Farouk Shami, businessman Bill White, former mayor of Houston Withdrew Tom Schieffer, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan & U.S. Ambassador to Australia Endorsements Polling * Dropped out prior to the primary. Results General election Candidates Rick Perry (R), incumbent governor Bill White (D), former Houston mayor Kathie Glass (L), attorney Deb Shafto (G), educator Andy Barron (write-in), orthodontist Predictions Polling Results References