Texas Gov. Perry re-elected; Friedman 4th

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Republican Gov. Rick Perry has been re-elected in Texas as expected, CBS News projected.

Democratic challenger Chris Bell was projected to be second. Controversial independent Carole Strayhorn was third.

Independent Kinky Friedman, who insisted his campaign was not a joke, was a respectable fourth, CBS said.

Friedman was the founder of a satirical country band, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, and is the author of 17 mystery novels, but has never held elective office.