Berry Drops Out of (Houston) Mayoral Race

Houston Chronicle ^ | Sept. 22, 2003, 11:32AM | JOHN WILLIAMS and KRISTEN MACK

[anymouse]

City Councilman Michael Berry rocked Houston's mayoral race this morning when he withdrew as a candidate, indicating he did not want to play a spoiler's role.

Instead, the first-term City Council member will run for a different council seat than he was elected to two years ago.

The last-second decision leaves Orlando Sanchez, Sylvester Turner and Bill White as the major candidates in a race that most political pundits believe will be decided in a runoff -- required if no candidate wins a majority Nov. 4.

Berry's decision most helps Sanchez, who had lost some of the support he received in his 2001 mayoral race to Berry in the early weeks of the campaign.

A recent Houston Chronicle/KHOU-Channel 11 poll indicated that White had support from 25 percent of likely registered voters while Sanchez had 20 percent and Turner had 19 percent. Berry left the race days after the poll showed he had but 8 percent.

Chris Begala, who had served as spokesman for Berry's campaign, said Monday that the councilman was not able to generate enough money to mount an effective campaign. He said that because of the expensive nature of the four-man race, Berry's estimate that he needed $1.5 million was roughly half of of what would be required.

"Michael did not want to play a spoiler's role," Begala said. "He wanted to win the race and he didn't have what was needed to win."

Berry made the decision on the last day of filing for city races.

Begala said that Berry will run not seek re-election to the At-Large Position 4 council seat that he won in a run-off victory over Claudia Williamson in 2001.

Earlier this year, Berry told District G Councilman Bert Keller that he would not seek Position 4, clearing that seat so Keller could jump to the citywide race. Keller faces Sue Lovell and attorney Ronald Green for Berry's old seat.

Berry will run for At-Large Position 5, the seat being vacated by term-limited Councilman Carroll Robinson. Others running for the position include Dwight Boykins and Hector Longoria.

[anymouse]

Now what is KPRC radio going to do? Will they back Sanchez or back White out of spite?

[OldFriend]

Begala.......where have we seen that name before.UGH!

[FreePaul]

Funny. I sent Sanchez an e-mail early this morning to protest his support of ILLEGAL immigrants. Told him I would not support him in the race. Now what do I do?

[anymouse]

Now what do I do?

For starters you could stop trolling on FR with false accusations about Sanchez. Everything I have heard from Sanchez is that he supports only legal immigration.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Try supporting the Republican instead of allowing more Democratic corruption and destruction to take place. Ever consider voting based on the overall good, rather than a single issue? That is exactly what Berry did, to his credit.

[DodgeRam]

This shows that texas republicans unlike (cali) know what they need to do to win. Hint Hint McClintock.

[BUSHdude2000]

Good point. Berry would have been finished in GOP politics if he had cost Orlando the mayor's race.

[Dog Gone]

This is GREAT news. Berry, who doesn't have enough political experience yet anyhow, was running to the right of Sanchez and siphoning off critical support.

In the mayoral runoff situation, it might have become a case where neither made the final cut.

Now, White and Turner split the liberal vote, and Sanchez is a shoo-in, possibly even winning 50%+ without a runoff.

A conservative hispanic mayor of the nation's 4th largest city would be a headline event for the GOP. I love it.

[johnb838]

Yeah, I've seen good things about Orlando. I was undecided, but leaning toward Berry. This actually simplifies things for me. Although if we get him elected then we face disliking some of the things he does, rather than if the whiny Turner gets elected, then we hate EVERYTHING he does. Hmmm... Kinda like Bush to the paleocons.

[Dog Gone]

Interesting development ping

[FreePaul]

Today is September 22, 2003. Get up to date. At a TMO meeting on Sunday, Sept. 21 Sanchez is said to support day labor centers where most of the workers are ILLEGALS. Also, Sanchez supports the policy of prohibiting police officers from inquiring about or taking any action on anyone's legal status. If anyone from the Sanchez campaign replies to my e-mail I'll let you know. I hope he wasn't just saying what the host group wanted to hear. Berry was the only one who disagreed with the above policies. I wouldn't vote for Berry because he was a cheerleader for the Coney Island and K-Mart raids that are going to cost this city dearly.

[Soladeo1]

Michael Berry is dropping out of this race because the State Republican leadership and Karl Rove have promised him a congressional district after redistricting is finalized in a few days. Look for a new Houston district that takes some of Chris Bells (D) white voters with some of John Culberson's heavily-Republican suburban voters to the north.

There is a promise for Berry somewhere out there......

[RikaStrom]

Ping

[FreePaul]

No question that we have had the most incompetent and perhaps corrupt city administration in History. Anyone will be an improvement. A Republican may be better. After all we have a Republican dominated majority county government. A Republican dominated majority state legislature. A Republican Governor and Lt. Governor. One of these days we will have spending cuts and tax relief? Don't hold your breath.

[Dog Gone]

That bit of speculation was first made by Rick Casey in the Chronicle. I don't believe any promises have been made in that regard.

Berry has a bright political future, if he quits making dumb mistakes like the K-Mart raid incident, but I don't think he's ready for prime time yet.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

They LIVE!! I thought you two had gone underground.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Interesting development ping

Very ....... and good news.

[humblegunner]

Well, I guess that settles the question of who to vote for
!

[JohnnyZ]

So I guess you're supporting Turner or White. Which is it?