AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Independent Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman has dismissed an appeal from his Democratic rival to quit the race, saying he's in it to win.
Democratic nominee Chris Bell left Friedman, a singer/songwriter and mystery novelist, a voice mail asking for a meeting but then went public with an appeal for Friedman to join his team, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported.
Bell has been struggling to consolidate the Democratic base in the crowded field of five candidates vying to unseat Republican Gov. Rick Perry on Nov. 7.
"Kinky and I agree on some very important issues and our supporters all have a lot in common --they want change," Bell said.
For his part, Friedman told the Dallas Morning News it would be "unthinkable" to drop out now based on another candidate's request.
"What can it possibly mean other than that we're killing him?" Friedman said. "We're getting all of the liberals. We're getting all of the conservatives."
