HOUSTON -- Since 2004, Mayor Bill White has been the leader of Houston, the fourth largest city in the country. Many consider him the strongest candidate the Democrats have in Texas. So what's next?

"I really want to figure out what I can accomplish," said White. "I don't need to hold a title to feel important."

He said he'll make a decision about running for governor or for the U.S. Senate in the next week.

"Those are two things that I've been weighing," said White.

The chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party said the party would happily support White in a statewide race.

"I've talked to enough Democrats to know that they're very excited to see a Bill White candidacy, whether it's for senate or for the governor's race," Gerry Birnberg said.

White would not say which he'd prefer.

His only hint was "Issues about energy policy are what I feel most passionate about."

Political consultant Mark Campos said it's a tough decision, because as governor, White would have more power than as a junior senator.

"If he wants to be a player in national energy policy then he needs to run for U.S. Senate," Campos said.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison recently announced that she is forming a gubernatorial exploratory committee, so what does White think about running against her or incumbent Rick Perry for the office?

"I believe the race should be about what we want to accomplish," said White.

Before he was mayor, White was a successful businessman and served as deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States. He said his decisions about his future always come back to family.

"My wife is my best advisor," said White.

It could cost between $15 and $25 million to run a statewide race, but Campos said White could easily raise that kind of money.