White 10:36 PM CST, Tuesday, November 4th, 1986
Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX
People were gathering inside the ballroom of the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin as they had learned former Governor Clements had regained the lead with 84% of the statewide precincts remaining; some grumbled under their breaths "OH SHIT! Clements is back again ?" while some wondered "Are most Texans that stupid in voting back some jackass oilman from Dallas ?" assuming the worst was coming as some reports showed Clements pulling away & one particular TV journalist decided to get over to the telephone booths & began to do one of the most stupidest things ever... inaccurately confirm that Clements had won a second non-consecutive as Governor....
Inside the hotel room at the Driskill & watching the returns, Governor White remained confident on turning things around despite losing in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (where he needed to do well in order to have a chance of reelection), Western TX, the TX Panhandle, etc., "I am confident we can turn this thing around around. Nobody panic, people didn't think I had a chance four years ago & we all know how that turned out. We will shock them once again. Just be patient folks."
10:36 PM CST FORMER TX GOVERNOR WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR., (R) ELECTED TO SECOND NON-CONSECUTIVE TERM; DETAILS COMING IN.... 10:36 PM CST, Tuesday, November 4th, 1986
ABC News Tonight TV Anchor Peter Jennings: "I believe we've got a projection in the Texas Gubernatorial election with Barbara Walters. Barbara, can you tell us who won this race ?"
Barbara Walters of ABC's "20/20": ABC News can project that former Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R), who lost his reelection bid to current Texas Governor Mark W. White (D) four years ago in a negative, ugly and bitter campaign, has won a rematch, reclaiming the job he had lost due to a disastrous 1982 midterm election for the GOP. I believe Clements is addressing his supporters in Austin so let's listen in..."
"WE WANT CLEMENTS! WE WANT CLEMENTS! WE WANT CLEMENTS! WE WANT CLEMENTS! WE WANT CLEMENTS!" [cheers from the crowd].
Clements: "Thank you. Thank you very much. Oh, what a night, what a night, what a night!" (more cheers from the joyful crowd inside the ballroom)
I like to address everyone here, some of y'all who stayed up to watch the election returns coming in from across our great state. The people of Texas have spoken & a new government will be in charge in two months (more cheers). Rita and I have traveled in all 254 counties, talking to countless Texans, who want a businessman with business experience, who knows how to balance a budget, creating jobs as well as moving Texas into the 21st Century. I am a problem solver, who can solve countless problems affecting our state such as the economic recession by this incompetent administration over the past four years, getting tough on crime by declaring a war on violent criminals, parole violators, drug smugglers & strongly enforcing the death penalty 100% percent!
When I left office in 1983, Texas had a record budget surplus & with hard work & determination, we changed the conversation during that time by getting government off of the backs of Texans, cutting unnecessary regulation, cutting the budget, reducing the massive bureaucracy in state government by making this great state being run efficiently like a business. Also during my administration, millions of Texans were employed, the economy was on the move & times were good. As a result of your hardworking efforts in getting out the vote, the largest turnout in state history, the people of Texas are ready to turn the page on that failed administration over the past four years, who broke promise after promise & raising taxes, utility rates, massive unemployment, hampering education, etc., I promise to all Texans like I've mentioned in my first campaign in 1978, that I will be a Governor of Texas & for all Texans. Come January 20th, 1987, we will change this state & putting it on a new different course in creating economic opportunity, zero-based budgeting & making sure Texas is a better place for the future generation of Texans going forward. Thank you very much for listening. Good night & let's get to work!" [cheers from the crowd]
TX Governor (84% of the precincts reporting) William P. Clements, Jr., (R): 1,856,179 (48.5%): Declared Winner Mark W. White, Jr., (D-incumbent): 1,840,891 (48.4%)
10:47 PM CST ABC NEWS: TX GOVERNOR MARK W. WHITE, JR., (D) PREPARING CONCESSION, INSIDERS SAY...
10:47 PM CST, Driskill Hotel
Austin, TX
Jennings: "We are back with our coverage of election night coverage of "The '86 Vote" on ABC News. We want to talk to our reporter Rachel Simpson in Austin, who's at White Headquarters. Rachel, you're there with 600 guests watching election returns. What's the mood there ?"
Simpson: "Peter. The mood was pretty optimistic until about an HR ago & disappointment was already felt after the projection from our network came. Though, I need to use caution that other networks have NOT called the TX Gubernatorial election. Nonetheless, the Driskill Hotel got very quiet when our network called the election in Clements' favor. You can almost feel the disappointment in that complete silence here. One White campaign volunteer told me it had vibes of 1978 after Hill's upset defeat to Clements."
Jennings: "That's quite understandable. Now you're hearing reports Governor White prepares to concede ?"
Simpson: "Peter, we should treat this information with extreme caution. A campaign surrogate just told me that there are hot discussions with White's inner circle about how to proceed. Some want White to prepare a concession speech and a phone call to Clements, while others such as Chief of Staff in the Governor's office Pike Powers are aggressively pushing him to hold this out as long as possible, especially with the unclear situation in San Antonio. "
Chapter II: "We Have a Retraction. I repeat, we have a retraction...." 1:30 AM CST, Wednesday, November 5th, 1986
Fox 26 KRIV-TV Houston Studios
Houston, TX
It was late Tuesday night as Fox 26 KRIV-TV Houston's special coverage of "Decision '86" was finished two HRS earlier & some late night movies were being shown very late into the night when Fox 26 News Weekend Anchor Mike Barajas broke into regular programming from the station's newsroom to report a major development: there had been a retraction in the 1986 TX Gubernatorial election, thereby denying former Governor Clements the election victory, which enraged many Clements supporters at Clements Campaign HQ in Austin. "We apologize for interrupting your regular scheduled programming, but Fox 26 has learned we have major developments in the TX Gubernatorial election between incumbent Governor Mark W. White & former Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R) that sources tell Fox 26 according to the Associated Press, there had been more developments such as possible voter intimidation efforts used in Dallas, Houston & other parts of the State. Because of the extreme closeness of the voting totals, there cannot be a projected winner at this time. I am being told that TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel will be holding a press conference later this morning in Austin, where it's expected the statewide recount will be taking place."
TX Governor (100% of the precincts reporting) Mark W. White, Jr., (D-incumbent): 1,913,446 (49.56%) William P. Clements, Jr., (R): 1,912,938 (49.40%)
McDaniel 3:37 PM CST, Wednesday, November 5th, 1986
James E. Rudder State Office Building, Austin, TX
May 25th, 1984: Governor White with incoming General Counsel Leslie Benitez & outgoing General Counsel (later TX Secretary of State) Myra McDaniel during press conference inside the Reception Room of the Governor's Office at the TX State Capitol in Austin.
It was a packed conference room inside the James Earl Rudder State Office Building in downtown Austin, where TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel addressed reporters on the uncertainty of the hotly-contested TX gubernatorial election of 1986. "I understand there is serious allegations of voter intimidation, aggressive tactics in terms of not putting polling stations in particular precincts, voters not getting put in their proper voting precinct, disenfranchisement, etc., I want to be very & strongly clear: there is no place for voting intimidation, disenfranchising Texans of their basic right to vote in elections, or any other disgusting, despicable act of heinous sinister intent of any kind whatsoever. After discussion with our legal team of the TX Secretary of State's Office & procedures in moving forward, I have concluded that there will be a statewide recount in all 254 counties beginning sometime this week. More details will come out later on this week as we're going to cross our I's & dot our T's until we can officially declare a winner."
Results of Statewide Offices Wednesday, November 5th, 1986
Austin, TX
TX Governor (100% of the Precincts reporting) Mark W. White, Jr., (D-incumbent): 1,913,446 (49.56%) William P. Clements, Jr., (R): 1,912,938 (49.40%) *Statewide Recount underway in all 254 counties.
TX Lieutenant Governor (100% of the Precincts reporting) William P. "Bill" Hobby, Jr., (D): 2,032,781 (61.37%)✔ David Davidson (R): 1,231,858 (37.19%)
TX State Attorney General (100% of the Precincts reporting) James A. "Jim" Mattox (D-incumbent): 1,735,820 (51.58%)✔ Roy Barera, Jr., (R): 1,588,464 (47.20%)
TX Comptroller of Public Accounts (100% of the Precincts reporting) Robert D. "Bob" Bullock (D-incumbent): 2,416,658 (90.02%)✔ George Meeks (LIB): 267,872 (9.98%)
TX Commissioner of General Land Office (100% of the Precincts Reporting) Garry Mauro (D-incumbent): 1,975,042 (61.36%)✔ MD Anderson (R): 1,180,815 (36.69%)
TX Commissioner of Agriculture (100% of the Precincts reporting) Jim Hightower (D-incumbent): 1,948,736 (59.93%)✔ Bill Powers (R): 1,238,436 (38.16%)
TX State Treasurer (100% of the Precincts reporting) Dorothy "Ann" Willis Richards (D-incumbent): 2,425,836 (91.68%)✔ Robert F. Reid (LIB): 220,024 (8.32%)
TX Railroad Commissioner-Place 2 (100% of the Precincts Reporting) John Sharp (D): 1,939,596 (57.38)✔ Milton Fox (R): 1,328,199 (38.40%)
The Long Statewide Recount.....
9:58 AM CST, Monday, November 17th, 1986
It had been less than 13 days since Election Day & 16 million Texans still didn't know who won the 1986 TX Gubernatorial election between incumbent TX Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., (D) & former TX Governor William Perry Clements, Jr., (R). Election administration officials from all 254 counties had been tasked by the TX Secretary of State's office to conduct a major statewide mass recount & full-scale canvassing of votes, making sure none of them had any irregularities to combat allegations of voter fraud, possible voter intimidation allegations, etc.,
While the other down-ballot statewide offices were decided on November 4th from Lieutenant Governor all the way to the TX Court of Criminal Appeals including legislative & countywide elections, the main topic of discussion was the Gubernatorial election of 1986: many Texans asked "Who could've won the Governorship ?" "What's taking them so long to declare a winner ?" "How long will Texans have to wait until official certification ?"
This major full-scale statewide recount would continue to drag on for the remainder of the month & possibly dragging into December 1986.....
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Chapter II: Downfall of the Texas Longhorns Football Team....
BREAKING NEWS: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONGHORNS FOOTBALL COACH FRED AKERS FIRED AFTER 10 SEASONS WITH (88-30-1) OVERALL RECORD INCLUDING 1 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (1983) & 3 SWC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (1977, 1981, 1983) 11:27 AM CST, Saturday, November 29th, 1986
In a not so surprising move, the University of Texas at Austin System Board of Regents voted to fire Texas Longhorns Football Coach Fred Akers after 10 seasons with 1 national championship (1983) & 3 SWC conference championships (1977, 1981, 1983).
On Saturday, Akers became the first coach in the 93-year history of the school's football program to be dismissed.
He posted the third-best won-lost record in the history of the Southwestern Conference, but his final team had the Longhorns' first losing season in 30 years.
Akers was not present at the news conference in Austin, where University of Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds announced Akers' dismissal. Akers spoke with CBS Sports in a halftime broadcast interview during the Southern Cal/Notre Dame game that he was surprised & disappointed with the decision to fire him.
Clements Campaign's Strategy in the statewide recount 3:18 PM CST, Saturday, November 28th, 1986
Dallas, TX
While at his residence in Dallas, former TX Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R) was working aggressive strategies in combating voter fraud allegations that had been popping up in some of the state's largest cities particularly Houston. GOP strategist Karl Rove, US Treasury Secretary James A. Baker, former US Rep. Kent Hance (D-TX) & several others were inside Clements' study office & they discussed the ongoing situation with the long statewide recount in all 254 counties.
Rove & several of his fellow GOP strategists continued to engage in numerous attempts to stop the recount, overturning the results by filing 63 lawsuits across the Lone Star State in several counties (all of whom were dismissed or withdrawn), some GOPers had gone so far as to spreading conspiracy theories alleging fraud, pressuring state election officials & legislators to change the results in Clements' favor, pressuring the US Justice Department to declare the 1986 TX Gubernatorial election "corrupt" & intervene, objecting to the certification of the results in the TX State Capitol among other manipulative tactics....
During the long dragged-out Election Night of November 4th, Clements asserted without evidence that there was "tremendous corruption & fraud going on," adding: "If you count the legal votes, I easily won this election by a lot. Now if you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal this election from us & we cannot allow that to happen!"
Governor White 3:35 PM CST, Sunday, November 29th, 1986
Somewhere in Dripping Springs, TX
November 23rd, 1986: Governor White speaking with reporters before heading to Thanksgiving holiday break.
During this long-dragged out statewide recount, Governor White & his family were spending time at the private summer retreat in Dripping Springs outside of Austin for the Thanksgiving holiday break. It was a much-needed time for the White's to spend the Thanksgiving holiday together because of the constant group of TV reporters barging on the grounds of the TX Governor's Mansion in Austin in the aftermath of November 4th. At the same time, Governor White was in contact with senior members of his campaign management team, getting detailed updates & also hiring lawyers to stop possible voting intimidation efforts from restless, triggered Clements supporters, etc.,
White also along with TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel, both 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 full statewide recount. Many politicians on both political parties & the press praised White & McDaniel for their respectable handling of the ongoing situation. However, United States Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) already began putting White on full-blast: accusing the Governor of having the TX Secretary of State's office & local elections administration officials of undermining the will of Texans & intentionally rigging votes on behalf of the Governor's reelection campaign. The White campaign, however, chose not to dignify that attack with any response.
All eyes were turning toward the TX Supreme Court to do something as the long-dragged statewide recount & canvassing continued non-stop. On November 30th, the TX Secretary of State's office certified Governor White as the winner of the 1986 Gubernatorial election. Clements formally contested the certified results. A state court decision overruling Clements was reversed by the TX Court of Appeals, which ordered a recount of over 70,000 ballots previously rejected as undervotes by machine counters. The US Supreme Court decided not to get involved in what they viewed as a "state matter". However, the TX Supreme Court immediately halted that order the next day, with TX Supreme Court Place 4 Raul A. Gonzalez (D) issuing a concurring opinion that "the counting of votes that are questionable legality does in my view threaten irreparable harm to petitioner" (White).
On December 7th, the TX Supreme Court ruled in a per curiam decision (asserted as 8-1 vote) that the TX Court of Appeals overstepped their judicial authority & were illegal in over-reaching. The TX Supreme Court went further that requesting a statewide recount of ballots in all 254 counties was unconstitutional on equal protection grounds, & in a 9-0 vote reversed the original decision by a local state district judge. With only three HRS remaining until the December 14th deadline, the TX Supreme Court's order effectively ended the full statewide recount & the official certification total held altogether.
11:00 AM CST BREAKING NEWS: 1986 TX GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION HAS BEEN DETERMINED: TX GOVERNOR MARK WELLS WHITE, JR., (D) REELECTED BY SUPER RAZOR-THIN MARGIN; DETAILS COMING IN.... Monday, December 8th, 1986
TX Governor's Mansion, Austin, TX.
Governor White congratulated by Lieutenant Governor Hobby & Speaker Lewis at the TX Governor's Mansion in Austin after being officially declared the winner of the 1986 TX Gubernatorial election.
Over a month after the election, all of the 3.9 million ballots cast in TX were thoroughly & successfully recounted without difficulty. On the morning of December 7th, all 254 counties reported to the TX Secretary of State's office in Austin their findings & developments. The election board led by TX Secretary of State Myra McDaniel certified the final outcome the next morning. The reported result was:
TX Governor (Statewide Recount & Recanvassing) Mark W. White, Jr., (D-incumbent): 1,957,646 (49.51%)✔ William P. Clements, Jr., (R): 1,956,021 (49.49%)
Inside the TX Governor's Mansion, Governor White sat back in his rocking chair & grinned to both Lieutenant Governor Hobby & Speaker Lewis. "We did it. We actually did it!" gleefully said White with a sense of satisfaction. "With all of the damming proof of Clements & his cronies over at the SMU Board of Governors heavily involved in the pay-to-play corruption schemes involving the football program over there, he won't be in the Governor's Mansion again. His sorry ass will be in the big house if I have anything to say about it." Hobby laughed heartidly, reached over & patted White on the back. Hobby was of course excited that White had been reelected in spite of the negative headwinds facing him. Hobby & many others campaigned heavily for him in the closing stretch & the work successfully paid off. It was a job well done. But secretly, Hobby realized that White all but declared his intention of seeking a 3rd term in 1990 & that his own political career was coming toward a close as many ambitious politicos such as TX Comptroller of Public Accounts Bob Bullock (D) & TX State Treasurer Ann Richards (D) were both gunning for the Lieutenant Governorship in just 4 years.
