Houston businessman Andrew White has a famous last name but it is his knowledge of the state's complex challenges that make him far and away the better choice in the crowded nine-way Democratic primary for governor.

White, 45, whose father was the late Texas Gov. Mark White, also displays a collaborative demeanor and centrist approach that would make him well-suited to lead the state and work with what most likely will remain a GOP-controlled Texas Legislature.

White blames the state's school finance and property tax problems on state lawmakers who have failed to provide adequate state funding. He offers a multi-pronged solution that includes closing a "$5 billion loophole" that gives builders a tax break at the expense of homeowners, shifting nearly $1 billion in state spending for border security to help finance public education, and expanding Medicaid to draw down additional federal dollars.

He says university freshmen should be able to pay the same amount in tuition each year, if they graduate on time, rather than be subjected to destabilizing rate escalations. And he shows both pragmatism and political courage in advocating for more toll roads, given the fact that transportation spending by lawmakers hasn't kept up with population growth. His caveat: Tolls should expire when construction costs are repaid.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew White poses for a photograph in the photo studio at The Dallas Morning News office in Dallas on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News) (Rose Baca / Staff Photographer)

We had high hopes for former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, the only candidate who's held elective office, having been elected in 2004 and re-elected three times since, and someone we've supported locally at various times. We were disappointed by her gross unfamiliarity with state issues, however, particularly an almost incoherent attempt to discuss state financing.

At one point, Valdez, 70, volunteered that she didn't know whether the state was spending $8 million or $8 billion on border control. (It's closer $800 million.) On college tuition, she first suggested the Legislature "and stakeholders" should set tuition rates, but then contradicted herself, and she later said the state should move to reduce local property tax rates, apparently unaware of those set by local jurisdictions.

Dallas businessman Jeffrey Payne, 50, impressed us as knowledgeable and thoughtful, but his advocacy for increased state spending on nearly everything and the legalization of marijuana are bridges too far.

Other candidates showed promise, but at a different level. Adrian Ocegueda, 43, a principal in a Dallas private equity firm, offers more MBA talk than tangible solutions. Joe Mumbach, 68, an electronics technician from Houston, seems well-intentioned but politically inexperienced.

San Antonio activist Tom Wakely, 64, ruled himself off the table by calling legislators "white supremacists" and the governor "a neo-fascist." Other candidates offered little: Grady Yarbrough, 81, a retired San Antonio public school teacher; former Balch Springs Mayor Cedric Davis Sr; and Austin businessman James Jolly Clark, 77.

The winner of this race faces major party opposition in the general election.

CORRECTION 1:15 p.m. 5/3: This editorial has been updated to correct the number of times Lupe Valdez was re-elected sheriff in Dallas County.

Ready to vote?

This is one in a series of Dallas Morning News recommendations for the March 6 primary elections.

Voter Guide: Compare candidates' answers to questionnaires tailored to their contest. dallasnews.com/voterguide

Recommendations: Find a list of our primary-election recommendations to date. dallasnews.com/opinion

Last day to register to vote: Monday

Early voting starts: Feb. 20

Election Day: March 6

For more information:

Collin County 1-800-687-8546 co.collin.tx.us/elections

Dallas County 214-819-6300 dallascountyvotes.org

Denton County 940-349-3200 votedenton.com

Kaufman County 972-932-0298 kaufmancounty.org/elections

Tarrant County 817-831-8683 access.tarrantcounty.com/en/elections.html

For more help, including how to check your registration status, contact the Texas secretary of state at 1-800-252-8683 or visit votetexas.gov

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