Dear Texas Democrat, As you and I know, defeating Republican political candidates is just about

the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Of course, it's been a while since we Texas Democrats have had that thrill in statewide races. But I'm getting a wonderfully-tingly feeling that this will be our year, and I'm looking forward to joining you in a winning effort for our entire ticket. To help us reach that happy goal, I hope you'll consider supporting my friend, Kinky Friedman, in the primary race for my old position, Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Not only does he have the ideas and grassroots appeal to defeat the corporatebacked GOP incumbent, but Kinky also brings something special to our cause: a unique Texas person and humor that can draw tens of thousands of additional Texans into the Democratic column next November, adding ballot strength to our nominees for governor and other offices. Usually, the top of the ticket provides nearly all of the pull, but – as Jim Mattox, Ann Richards, Garry Mauro and I showed in 1982 – down-ballot candidates can sometimes provide their own winning thrust to advance Democrats to victory. Our friend Leland Beatty, the excellent electioneering analyst for Texas Democrats, calculates that Kinky has the ability to produce a 7% increase in people voting for our candidates in a general election. That would likely be a winning margin for us. I recognized that Friedman ran an awful campaign in 2006. He recognizes it, too. I certainly did not support him then, but he is smart enough to learn from his screw-ups, and he's shown me that he's serious about being a team player to help all Democrats win. Just as importantly, he'll join our other winners to produce good public policies that benefit ordinary Texans, not just the rich and politically-connected elites. He'll be an ag commissioner who'll fight for the workaday majority of people who don't have a lobbyist carrying water for them. Please check out the information below on Friedman's background and ideas for Texas. Thanks for your consideration – and thanks for all you do. Best Regards, Jim Hightower