Kinky forms fundraising committee

AUSTIN (AP) - Humorist, singer and author Kinky Friedman announced Tuesday he is forming a political committee to raise money for a possible run for governor in next year's Democratic primary.

Friedman ran for governor as an independent in 2006. He said he will spend the next few months traveling the state to talk to Texans about a possible candidacy.

In a letter to supporters this week, Friedman acknowledged he is a humorist but that "these are not humorous times." He said "there is a pathetic lack of leadership at the state level."

San Antonio attorney and Friedman advisor Abel Dominguez will serve as treasurer of the campaign committee called " Texans for Kinky." Dominguez orchestrated Victor Morales' victory in the 1996 Democratic U. S. Senate primary.

Former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower is also helping Friedman.