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AUSTIN — Hair-care magnate Farouk Shami of Houston, who portrays himself as a beneficiary of the American dream, says he is preparing to reach for the state’s political pinnacle in a run for governor that he plans to finance with $10 million of his own.
Shami’s declared intention to enter the Democratic gubernatorial race, first reported in the Austin American-Statesman on Wednesday, comes days after Garland therapist Mark Thompson withdrew his candidacy, saying the field was too crowded.Other candidates include author-entertainer Kinky Friedman of Austin, former U.S. Ambassador Tom Schieffer of Fort Worth, Whitehouse rancher Hank Gilbert and educator Felix Alvarado of Fort Worth. Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is also considering a bid. Shami, a Palestinian-American who immigrated to the United States in 1965 and ultimately built a $1 billion international business, will accept a salary of $1 if he becomes governor, spokeswoman Jessica Gutierrez said. Gutierrez said Shami will formally announce his candidacy at a ceremony Nov. 19 in Houston. Although Shami has not held political office, Gutierrez said he believes that his experience as a self-made businessman who helped stoke the Texas economy makes him well-qualified to run the state.Shami is founder and chairman of Houston-based Farouk Systems, which offers a worldwide line of hair-care products. It employs more than 3,000 people in 106 countries. Shami has been considering the race for several weeks. He told the Star-Telegram earlier that the economy and employment would be his top priority. "I’m a doer and not a talker," he said.Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, said it’s too early to tell what kind of impact Shami will have on the race, even if he infuses his personal wealth into the campaign. "I think the race is still wide-open," Henson said, pointing to a poll this week showing that 55 percent of potential Democratic voters are undecided.Reaction from other candidates ranged from no comment to indifference. "I think the $10 million he will put in the race will certainly stimulate the economy, but I don’t think it’s going to help him win the Democratic nomination," Gilbert spokesman Vince Leibowitz said.Gov. Rick Perry visited Shami’s Houston headquarters in July.DAVE MONTGOMERY IS THE STAR-TELEGRAM’S AUSTIN BUREAU CHIEF. 512-476-4294
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