Texas Democrat Tom Schieffer announced his resignation from the governor's race in a news conference Monday afternoon.
After a year on the campaign trail, Schieffer said he couldn't muster up the money or convince enough voters he could win. Instead, he said he wants Houston Mayor Bill White to jump into the governor's race.
"We're just at risk at this moment, and we have to do something about it. That's what I wanted to do and that's why I ran. I wasn't able to do it, but I think Mayor White can do it and I think he will."
White responded saying he will consider running for governor and will make a decision by Friday. White also made a pitch to the public.
"Before then I invite the citizens of Texas to weigh in on this decision by visiting my website and emailing me at billwhite@billwhitefortexas.com," White said in a statement.
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White for Governor?
News 8's Karina Kling sat down with political analyst Harold Cook to discuss the changes.
 
Democrats in the Race
News 8's Karina Kling has more on how this could change up what looked like a strictly Republican race.
The race heats up
News 8’s Karina Kling has more on how White’s likely run for governor has shaken up the race.
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White has been running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kay Bailey Hutchison. Hutchison said she is waiting until after the gubernatorial primaries in March to resign her seat. Her decision has some candidates reevaluating their plans.
Jim Henson is the Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas. He said White's decision to run could potentially compromise Gov. Perry's chances.
"He's never run a statewide race and he's up against somebody who's very experienced and if not enormously popular, still very politically formidable," Henson said.
If White enters the gubernatorial race, it will give the Democrats a chance to change the dynamics of the race with the millions of dollars White can bring to the campaign.
"People are saying if I don't step up and do this, then Texas faces more years of politics with highly charged partisanship, wedge issue politics and a vacuum of leadership rather than someone who will move this state forward and Texas can't afford that," White said.
Schieffer said White is the right person for the job, and told him so in a private meeting Sunday.
"We had to have a candidate who was a thoughtful and a serious person and who could draw from a wide range of support," Schieffer said. "I told him I thought he could be that candidate and I was prepared to withdraw from the race in order to make that happen."
Democratic strategist Harold Cook said White's the ticket the Democrats have been waiting for, that being one equipped with money, trust and approval ratings.
"Bill White is the first A-team Democrat to get in this race. I think if he runs against Rick Perry, he will beat him like a rented mule," Cook said.
Cook said White's announcement that he would wait out his decision could be strategic.
"It's a lot better, all things equal, to avoid announcing that you're going to the prom and wait to be asked out. I think Bill wants to gage his popularity and interest and wants people to buy into his candidacy."
