FORT WORTH -- Willie Felix Carter had a vision from God.
One day in 1980, the Fort Worth man saw himself getting in or out of a staff car parked at the White House. That's when he realized what God wanted him to do: run for president."I saw that I was momentarily given the presidency," said Carter, 68, who is embarking on his seventh bid. "I never thought he would give me such a charge."But I love God, and I love the United States of America," he said. "I'm a servant for the Lord."So far, at least 15 Texans -- including Carter, the only Democrat -- are formally in the race for president next year. That list does not yet include Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who has indicated that he hopes to decide whether to jump into the race in the coming weeks.From Texas alone there are six Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Lake Jackson, four independents, two Libertarians, one Eco-Green Party candidate and one Madisonian Federalist in the race.Carter said he's optimistic about his odds, even against Democratic President Barack Obama."I believe I will become the next president," he said. "I'm very excited about it. And I know this is only happening with God's help."I'm trying to keep everything in perspective," he said. "With God's help, I can handle this."Carter, the son of a pastor and retired nurse's assistant, grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from I.M. Terrell High School in 1961. He is a retired Air Force senior master sergeant and owned the now-defunct Carter's Radio & Television business in Fort Worth.He has nine children and works as a videographer in California, although he maintains his Fort Worth home as his permanent address.Since having that first vision from God, Carter, who has never held a political office, ran for president in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. And he has a backup plan if, for some reason, he is not elected president in 2012."I'll run again in 2016," he said. "But I certainly hope that I win [in 2012]."Besides Paul, the other Republicans running are Jared Blankenship of Herford, Timothy T. Day of Galveston, Harold Heard of Frisco, Gabriel Jimenez of El Paso and Vern Wuensche of Houston. The independents are Jeffrey "Jeff" Barea of Denton, Michael David Elder of Dallas, John Hoelzel Jr. of Ivanhoe and Scott Andrew Cain of Garland. The Libertarians are Roger Gary of San Antonio and R. Lee Wrights of Burnet. The Eco-Green Party candidate is John "Green" Ferguson of Azle, and the Madisonian Federalist candidate is Thaddaus Hill of New Ulm.Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
