SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Farouk Shami, a Palestinian born just outside
Jerusalem, made a fortune selling hair-care products, including a
hair-straightening iron called a CHI, or ceramic heating iron.

Now, "the CHI man," as he refers to himself at appearances,
bringing nods of recognition from women, is bent on straightening
out state government, seeking the Democratic nomination for
governor.

Texas hasn't had a Democratic governor in more than a decade.
And even popular ex-Houston Mayor Bill White has an uphill battle
in the general election against either of the headlining Republican
candidates. But 67-year-old Shami, with no party backing, political
experience or name recognition, is still making a splash. He plans
to use $10 million of his fortune - plus the paltry $60,000 in
contributions so far - to blanket the airwaves with commercials.
Ads for his gubernatorial campaign and hair-care products are
running simultaneously, both focusing on his corporate
empire-building skills.