Ex-Gov. Clements Leads in GOP as Texas Holds Primary Today

Texans cast primary election ballots today, with polls showing a former governor with strong Republican support and Democratic Gov. Mark White hobbled by plunging oil prices, angry teachers and unhappy state employees.

About 200 backers of Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. also are seeking offices, including a dozen running for Congress and one running for agriculture commissioner.

But the governor’s race, in which candidates reported spending more than $9 million, has received most of the attention.

Former Governor Doing Well

Polls show former Gov. Bill Clements running well ahead of his GOP rivals, U.S. Rep. Tom Loeffler and former U.S. Rep. Kent Hance.

Clements, 69, is the only Republican elected governor of Texas in a century. He lost the governor’s office to White in 1982.

Loeffler, 39, said his polls show a strong turnout of anti-abortionists and fundamentalist Christians would give him enough votes to force a runoff election. A runoff is held if no candidate receives more than 50% of the primary vote.

On the Democratic side, White faces five challengers, none of whom has been able to buy television advertising.

Oil Price Collapse

The collapse of oil prices--from $28 a barrel last autumn to as low as $10 a barrel this spring--has left state government facing a $1.3- billion budget shortfall and lower bond ratings.