BOR Endorsements: Sam Coats for Mayor of Dallas

by: John McClelland

Thu May 10, 2007 at 01:26 PM CDT

We here at Burnt Orange Report have decided to offer up our own endorsements in these races throughout the state (even if you see these posted under one of our own names, the endorsement is from BOR as a whole).

After some thoughtful debate, our endorsement for Mayor of Dallas is Sam Coats. Mr. Coats is one of a handful of Democrats in a field of 11 candidates and makes no qualms about it. He even held a seat in the Texas State Legislature for one term in 1970. He holds a law degree from University of Texas Austin. He has served as chairman of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Long Range Water Supply Plan.  He served as co-chairman of the United Negro College Fund, and as a board member of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army, and the Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Coats was hired as CEO of Schlotzsky’s in 2004 and helped turn the company around from bankruptcy into profitability. He also was a major player in the Wright Amendment compromise in 2006 here in the DFW region, which helped solved the debate between Dallas and Fort Worth over Love Field and DFW Airport.

We believe Mr. Coats has what it takes to bring balance back to the City Council and help lead Dallas in a new direction as Mayor. He has talked about wanting to become “the choir director” for the City Council, and that is exactly what the city needs in order to create compromise and to move Dallas forward into the future.

However, we do wish to extend honorable mentions to two other candidates in the race for Mayor of Dallas, since it is highly likely this will go to a June runoff. Council members Ed Oakley and Don Hill are both hard working diverse Democrats who deserve at least some mention of their attempts to step up to higher office.

Ed Oakley is a 3 term Councilmember who is the owner of his own construction company. He serves as chairman of the Trinity River Committee and currently represents Place 3. Mr. Oakley has been the 2nd biggest fundraiser in the Mayoral race and has a large base of support, including the Dallas County Young Democrats. If elected, Mr. Oakley would become the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city.

Don Hill is a 4 term Councilmember, who is now term limited as a result. He has represented Place 5 since 1999 and currently serves as the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Hill has been a licensed attorney since 1978. He was spotted at the recent Obama for President fundraiser, so we know he is a Democrat. While his recent support may be waning, Mr. Hill is still expected to receive a large portion of the Southern Dallas African American vote, which could propel him into the runoff.

Stay tuned for more endorsements to come