November 4th, 1986: White wins reelection with another upset victory & the aftermath (The TL)

[49ersFootball]

This special What If TL has a bit of twists & turns, the results of the down-ballot statewide offices remain the same (as they did in real life), but the hotly-contested battle for the TX Governor's Mansion as a little twist....


It was Tuesday night, November 4th, 1986: Election Day. 16.6 million Texans were casting their votes in an election, which would have ramifications across the Lone Star State & many political analysts considered this a referendum on the leadership of TX Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., (D), who was defending his controversial Education Reform efforts such as "No Pass/No Play" including HB-72.

What would happen next would be a wild & entertaining twists & turns as the election returns rolled on.....

Spoiler Alert: This TL will be very LONG.

The Rematch: Clements vs. White....

Stay tuned....

 

[49ersFootball]

Eyewitness News Tonight
7:00 PM CST, Tuesday, November 4th, 1986
Ch. 13 Studios, Houston, TX.

Ch. 13 KTRK-TV Houston Voice-over by Doug Tisdale: "You're watching Ch. 13 KTRK-TV Houston, # in TX... now Eyewitness News with Dave Ward, Action 13's Marvin Zindler, Bob Allen's Sports & Ed Brandon's Weather...

(Circle 13 logo doing the swish sound) Now Ch. 13 Eyewitness News Tonight!"

Ward: "Good evening friends, I'm Dave Ward & today is Election Day, where 16 million Texans are casting their votes to determine what the next 4 years will bring all Texans as the hotly-contested battle for the TX Governor's Mansion between incumbent Governor Mark W. White (D) & former Governor William P. Clements (R) will be settled tonight after months (the past 4 years) of non-stop mudslinging, non-stop Negative TV Advertising commercials on both sides, nasty attacks, snide comments to describe the other, etc.,

With us tonight inside the Ch. 13 Studios, University of Houston Political Science Professor Dr. Richard Murray, Marc Campos of Texas Southern University, Houston City Councilman Rodney Ellis (D).

 

[49ersFootball]

Ward: "Eyewitness News can project that TX Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby (D) has won reelection to an unprecedented 5th term very handily defeating David Davidson (R) by a wide margin as you can see here.."

TX Lieutenant Governor (65% of the Precincts Reporting)
Bill Hobby (D-Inc) 1,987,054 (58.43%): Declared Winner
David Davidson (R) 1,000,779 (37.1%)

"With this landslide victory, Hobby, who is already the longest-serving TX Lieutenant Governor in history, will have served up to 18 years by the end of his 5th term come January 15th, 1991. He'll be taking office on January 20th, 1987 & is considered a possible candidate for the Governorship in 1990 regardless who wins the Gubernatorial contest tonight."


W"

 

[49ersFootball]

"Eyewitness News & the Associated Press can project that incumbent TX State AG Jim Mattox (D), who had been indicted by Travis County DA Ronnie Earle (D) & faced an aggressive challenge from Roy Barrera, Jr., (R) during this campaign, has managed to survive & win reelection to securing another 4 years as the Lone Star State's Chief Law Enforcement Officer, you can bet he will also be a possible candidate for the Governorship in 1990 as well."

TX State Attorney General (73% of the Precincts Reporting)
Jim Mattox (D-Inc) 1,556,045 (50.26%): Declared Winner
Roy Barrera, Jr., (R) 1,363,173 (46.73%)

 

[49ersFootball]

"Eyewitness News can also project that TX Comptroller of Public Accounts Bob Bullock (D), who had briefly flirted with challenging Governor White this year before backing out & deciding to run again for his current job, has won reelection overwhelmingly, sweeping all 254 Counties as he secured a 4th 4-year term in office. He'll be considered a possible contender for Lieutenant Governor in 1990 regardless on what Lieutenant Governor Hobby decides to do with his political future."

TX Comptroller of Public Accounts (75% of the Precincts Reporting)
Bob Bullock (D-Inc) 2,187,573 (92.6%): Declared Winner
George Meeks (LIB) 100,346 (8.76%)

 

[49ersFootball]

8:15 PM CST

Ward: "Welcome Back to Eyewitness News Tonight's coverage of The 86 Vote as we're getting a look at the map detailing the hotly-contested battle for the TX Governor's Mansion as it's too close to call right now. Earlier in the night, former Governor Clements was leading as the Early Voting returns had showed him leading by less than 6 percentage points, but we're getting reports of strong turnout in the Rio Grande Valley, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, etc., which should be able to help Governor White's chances of getting reelected."

TX Governor (76% of the Precincts Reporting)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D-Inc) 1,692,676 (49.3%)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,688,000 (48.6%)

 

[49ersFootball]

8:25 PM CST

"Eyewitness News & the Associated Press both can project that TX Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower (D) will win reelection defeating Bill Powers (R). He's a potential contender for higher statewide office, particularly the United States Senate in 1990. I'm told by Eyewitness News Reporter Debroah Wrigley, who is reporting at the Clements HQ, there are nervous people inside the hotel ballroom as the Gubernatorial contest is still too close to call, we might be staying up all night again like we did in 1982."

TX Commissioner of Agriculture (76% of the Precincts)
Jim Hightower (D-Inc) 1,773,987 (57.33%): Declared Winner
Bill Powers (R) 1,056,386 (35.98%)

 

[49ersFootball]

TX Commissioner of General Land Office Garry Mauro (D), TX Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Hightower (D) & TX State Treasurer Ann Richards (D) celebrating their respective landslide reelection victories.

"Eyewitness News can also project that TX Commissioner of General Land Office Garry Mauro (D) has been reelected to a 2nd term despite being targeted by the TX GOP twice: in 1982 & this year, you can bet they'll target him again in 1990. He's being mentioned as a potential contender for higher statewide office in 1990, either the United States Senate or TX State AG. We'll find out when that time comes.

We can also project that TX State Treasurer Ann Richards (D) will win reelection overwhelmingly, sweeping all 254 Counties. She's a rising star in TX Statewide politics as well as on the national level considering she spoke at the 1984 DNC Convention in San Francisco & will be mentioned as a strong contender for higher statewide office in the future, we just don't know what office she'll run for next, so stay tuned."

TX Commissioner of General Land Office (80% of the Precincts Reporting)
Garry Mauro (D-Inc) 1,770,999 (60.16%): Declared Winner
MD Anderson (R) 1,099,676 (35.88%)


TX State Treasurer (81% of the Precincts Reporting)
Dorothy "Ann" Willis Richards (D-Inc) 2,183,973 (88.21%): Declared Winner
Robert F. Reid (LIB) 176,879 (6.87%)

 

[49ersFootball]

Shara Fryer (stepping in for Ward, who took some breaks): "Good evening, I'm Shara Fryer here in the Eyewitness News Newsroom, we're getting a projecting from the Eyewitness News Decision Desk & the Associated Press that State Senator John Sharp (D-Victoria) has won an open seat on the TX Railroad Commission to replace former TX Railroad Commission Chairman Buddy Temple (D), who chose not to seek reelection & resigned from office to go into the private sector. Governor White appointed Clark Jobe, who is serving out the remainder of Temple's term until January of 1987. Here are the numbers."

TX Railroad Commissioner Place 2 (OPEN) [84% of the Precincts Reporting]
John Sharp (D) 1,696,777 (56.00%): Declared Winner
Milton Fox (R) 1,200,888 (42.06%)

 

[49ersFootball]

Fryer: "Eyewitness News & the Associated Press can both project the winners of the following statewide contests: TX Supreme Court Justice Place 3 James P. Wallace (D), TX Supreme Court Justice Place 4 Raul A. Gonzalez (D), who was appointed by Governor White in 1984, TX Supreme Court Justice Place 5 Robert M. Campbell (D) & Oscar Mauzy (D) has won a seat on the TX Supreme Court to serve as Associate Justice Place 9 replacing the retiring Sears McGee (D). TX Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Marvin Odell Teague (D) has won reelection.

On the legislative front, the TX Dems still retain controlling both chambers of the TX State Legislature with the following numbers:

TX House of Representatives:
Dems: 90 Seats
GOPers: 60 Seats

TX State Senate:
Dems: 25 Seats
GOPers: 6 Seats

 

[49ersFootball]

Ward: "Thank you very much Shara for filling in the latest of the statewide & legislative results, we take another look at the Gubernatorial contest between incumbent Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., (D) & former Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R). Yes, you guessed it, still too close to call & from what I can see here, Governor White is leading by only 796 votes.... 796 votes. There are just 14% of the remaining precincts left & there is talk of a possible statewide recount due to suspicious voting intimidation efforts going on in Dallas, Houston, etc., "

TX Governor (86% of the Precincts Reporting)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D-Inc) 1,700,033 (48.3%)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,699,237 (48.2%)

 

[49ersFootball]

Exit Polls: TX Governor

(Anglos)
Clements: 55%
White: 45%

(African Americans)
White: 89%
Clements: 11%

(Latinos)
White: 69%
Clements: 30%

(Others)
White: 64%
Clements: 36%

 

[49ersFootball]

Ward: "Welcome back to Ch. 13 Eyewitness News Tonight's special coverage of The 86 Vote, with us here are University of Houston Political Science Professor Dr. Richard Murray, Political Analyst Marc Campos of Texas Southern University & Houston City Councilman Rodney Ellis (D). I want to start with Councilman Elllis first, what's going on with the Gubernatorial contest & why is it so very close ?"

Ellis: "Thank you very much Dave for welcoming me to talk to you & the viewers tonight. First, I believe that the mudslinging & negative TV Advertising from the Clements campaign successfully damaged Governor White's standing in West TX & the DFW Metroplex so bad, that the Governor had to court traditional constituencies, African Americans & Latinos to turning out the vote in what has turned into an ugly, bitter & cutthroat campaign for the TX Governor's Mansion considering both White & Clements ran nasty campaigns against each other just 4 years ago. I'm hopeful that Governor White can get some breathing with these numbers coming out & hoping there's not a statewide recount if things continue a disturbing trend as we are seeing right now."

Ward: "Dr. Murray, looking at the entire map of the Lone Star State, we see former Governor Clements running up landslide margins in West TX by overwhelming numbers so big, that the White campaign didn't even bother to contest that part of the state. What is causing Governor White so many problems ?"

Murray: "Dave, I think it didn't help the White administration that TX's economy has been suffering a devastating economic recession over the past several years & unemployment is rising steadily at 9%. The price of oil is down badly, causing massive layoffs in the Oil & Gas industry angering many employees, whose livelihood is based on these jobs for their families. Many of whom voting for Clements just to stick it to Governor White, whom they blame for inaction on boosting the TX economy & failure of providing leadership.

I also believe the White campaign has been aggressive defending the Governor's record from the past 4 years. They rightfully brought up Clements' gaffes during his tenure such as slandering military veterans working for the State of TX, housewives, the American hostages at the then-US Embassy in Iran being 'expendable' & other controversies."

Ward: "Marc, what's been the most effective defining moments of this campaign ?"

Campos: "First of all Dave, I believe the White campaign has been rightfully defining Clements as someone, in their view, insensitive & callous towards the people of TX.

The Governor's campaign has painted Clements as a rich man who seeks to protect the interest of big business & other wealthy individuals. I really don't think the former Governor really cares or understands the plight of working Texans. If he had his way, he would cut back on programs that would help people in need. He would roll back education, highways, & health care."

 

[49ersFootball]

Ward: "It's been a good conversation with all of you. We'll come right back to you after this commercial break & another close look at the Gubernatorial contest right here on Eyewitness News Tonight!"

TX Governor (88% of the Precincts Reporting)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D) 1,737,001 (48.2%)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,737,000 (48.2%)

 

[49ersFootball]

9:00 PM CST

Ward: "Welcome back to Eyewitness News Tonight's special edition of The '86 Vote. When we last left you, the Gubernatorial contest is still way too close to call & Governor White was leading by only just 1 vote. Wait a minute, I believe we're getting more updates coming up right now according to Eyewitness News Reporter Don Kobos, who's in the Eyewitness Newsroom."

Kobos: "That's right Dave. Sources have contacted Eyewitness News to discuss the possibility of a statewide recount, which could drag on by the end of this month, TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel has called a press conference tomorrow to discuss the options on a potential statewide recount for the TX Governorship if nobody wins outright tonight. Now here's another look at the latest numbers...."

TX Governor (91% of the Precincts Reporting)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D) 1,845,633 (49.0%)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,779,012 (48.6%)

 

[49ersFootball]

9:29 PM CST

Former TX Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R) & his wife, Rita acknowledging the crowd at Campaign HQ in Austin.

Ward: "I'm told that former Governor Clements is about to address his supporters at the Clements HQ in Austin right now, where he's about to deliver a speech right now. Eyewitness News Reporters Mary Ann Conway & Ben Watson are live over there covering the Clements campaign, now let's take a listen."

("We Want Clements! We Want Clements! We Want Clements!" cheers from the crowd).

Clements: "Thank You. Oh, What a night, what a night, what a night (crowd cheers)!

I like to address all of you, who are staying up late watching the election returns as of just about 13 minutes ago, we've taken the lead (crowd cheers) & hoping it stays that way as there are more precincts coming in across the entire state. Now, we've managed to change the conversation across TX as Rita & I have talked with constituents on major issues concerning them. We need to have a businessman, who knows how to run a business & make it very efficient. When I was Governor 8 years ago, we inherited a major budget crisis, but with hard work & determination, we changed the conversation into putting a referendum on the current administration's failed record over the last 4 years: this current administration raised taxes non-stop, spent all of the budget surplus that I had left 4 years ago, massive unemployment effecting millions of Texans, & broken promises on education. If I'm elected as your Governor again, if the trend continues, I promise to the people of TX that I will NOT be raising any taxes or pushing any tax increases no matter how hard the Legislature will push & prod.

We are going to scrub that budget to the maximum & making major cuts in order to make TX one of the most efficient & growing states in the country as we move toward the 21st Century. Stay calm & before the night is out, we're going to WIN! Thank you so much." (cheers from the crowd).

TX Governor (96% of the Precincts Reporting)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,869,111 (48.5%)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D-Inc) 1,850,888 (48.4%)

 

[49ersFootball]

10:00 PM CST
James E. Rudder State Office Building
Austin, TX

TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel called an impromptu press conference inside the Reception Room of the James E. Rudder State Office Building, where she delivered comments regarding the closeness of the TX Gubernatorial election between White & Clements (100% of the Precincts reported & both deadlocked at 49% of the statewide vote each).

She also confirmed there will be a recount underway & details to be addressed tomorrow.

TX Governor (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D-Inc) 1,913,446 (49.56%)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,912,938 (49.40%)

 

[49ersFootball]

Wednesday, November 5th, 1986

TX Governor (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D-Inc) 1,913,446 (49.56%)
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,912,938 (49.40%)
*Statewide recount underway

TX Lieutenant Governor (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
William P. "Bill" Hobby (D-Inc) 2,032,781 (61.37%): Declared Winner
David Davidson (R) 1,231,858 (37.19%)

TX State Attorney General (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
James A. "Jim" Mattox (D-Inc) 1,735,820 (51.58%): Declared Winner
Roy Barrera, Jr., (R) 1,588,464 (47.20%)

TX Comptroller of Public Accounts (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
Bob Bullock (D-Inc) 2,416,658 (90.02%): Declared Winner
George Meeks (LIB) 267,872 (9.98%)

TX Commissioner of General Land Office (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
Garry Mauro (D-Inc) 1,975,042 (61.36%): Declared Winner
MD Anderson (R) 1,180,815 (36.69%)

TX Commissioner of Agriculture (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
Jim Hightower (D-Inc) 1,948,736 (59.93%): Declared Winner
Bill Powers (R) 1,238,436 (38.08%)

TX State Treasurer (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
Dorothy "Ann" Willis Richards (D-Inc) 2,425,836 (91.68%): Declared Winner
Robert F. Reid (LIB) 220,024 (8.32%)

TX Railroad Commissioner, Place 2 (100% of the Precincts Reporting)
John Sharp (D) 1,738,596 (55.50%): Declared Winner
Milton Fox (R) 1,328,199 (42.40%)

 

[49ersFootball]

Wednesday, November 5th, 1986: The Day After

On the morning of November 5th, both Governor White & TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel, recused themselves from the entire process. Daniel, who had to certify the election results, said she would certify any final result presented to her after the recount. Many politicians of both political parties & the press praised White & McDaniel for their handling of the situation.

Former Governor Clements already started blasting White with full barrels going: accusing the Governor of having his appointees in the TX Secretary of State's office for undermining the will of the voters & intentionally rigging the votes in the Governor's favor. White's team, however, did not respond to these comments.

 

[49ersFootball]

BREAKING NEWS: 1986 TX GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IS DETERMINED: GOVERNOR MARK WELLS WHITE, JR., (D) REELECTED BY RAZOR-THIN MARGIN

TX Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., (D) speaking with Capitol Press Corps inside the TX House of Representatives Chambers of the TX State Capitol on November 18th, 1986.

14 days after the election, all 3.9 million ballots cast in TX were successfully recounted without any difficulty. On the morning of November 17th, all 254 Counties of the Lone Star State reported to the TX Secretary of State's office in Austin. The election board certified the final outcome the next morning. The reported result was:

TX Governor (Statewide Recount)
Mark W. White, Jr., (D-Inc) 1,957,646 (49.51%): Declared Winner
William P. Clements, Jr., (R) 1,956,017 (49.49%)

After the official certification, Governor White was declared the winner & won reelection. His arch-rival, former TX Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R) conceded the election later in the afternoon at 12:52 PM at his ranch outside of Dallas & urged Texans to leave the bitter division behind them. The same did United States Senators Lloyd M. Bentsen (D-TX) & Phil Gramm (R-TX). White defeated Clements by a bare 1,629 votes or 0.02% (over 3.9 million votes were cast). It was the closest Gubernatorial election in the history of TX & one of the closest in the entire US history. At the age of 46, White will begin his 2nd term on January 20th, 1987 with the possibility of seeking a 3rd term in 1990 (which White was leaving heavily towards doing). Afterwards, Governor White reportedly phoned with POTUS Ronald Reagan & VP George HW Bush, both of whom expressed their respective congratulations.

Former Governor Clements conceding the 1986 Gubernatorial Election.