Kinky Friedman, independent candidate for governor, will be in Tyler on Monday for a visit to The University of Texas at Tyler.

Pi Sigma Alpha's Rho Iota chapter is sponsoring his appearance at 4 p.m. at the University Center main lobby, 3900 University Blvd. Following his question-and-answer session, Friedman will be on hand for a "meet-and-greet" mixer from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event is open to all.

Friedman's campaign must gather the signatures of 45,540 registered Texas voters who did not vote in the March 7 primary elections and who will not vote in the April 11 runoff elections in order to earn a spot on the ballot for governor. The petition drive began March 8 and ends May 11.

Signing the petition does not commit a person to voting for Friedman; it only gets him on the ballot, the campaign notes.