In texas, to run as an independent for statewide office, a candidate must file a petition with a number of signatures equal to % of the votes cast for governor in the past election.

1 %

Explanation:

Running as an Independent meaning that the candidate will not have backings from any political parties that exist in that state. So, In order to make sure that the person running as independence actually could represent the people, we made a requirement for them to sign a petition.

If, that particular candidate manage to get 1% of the votes from the total casts in the past election, we can conclude that this person is very influential and backed by many people that wasn't really affiliated with other existing party.