Candidates
Farouk Shami is the Founder and Chairman of Farouk Systems, Inc., a multinational corporation based in Houston that manufactures and sells hair care products.
A naturalized U.S. citizen, Shami was born on the West Bank, attended American Quaker schools in Palestine and moved to the United States in the early 1960s.
He attended the University of Arkansas on a scholarship but dropped out to start his own business. Shami has built his campaign on a promise to create jobs in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
He has a record of philanthropic contributions after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. Shami and his wife have four children.
Bill White is a former three-term mayor of Houston. During his time as mayor, he focused on job creation and public safety.
White also served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton from 1993-1995. And, he was chairman of the Texas Democratic Party from 1995-1998.
White attended Harvard University on an American Legion scholarship and law school at the University of Texas at Austin. He promises to work to improve public schools and reduce barriers to higher education.
Bill White grew up in San Antonio. His civic involvement began when he led voter registration drives on the San Antonio's West Side almost forty years ago. Bill and his wife have three children.
