SAN ANTONIO -- 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.
