Today, Freedom to Marry, a national organization promoting equal marriage rights, issued a major statement of nearly 100 mayors across the county who signaled their support for same-sex marriage rights. Co-Chair Annise Parker of Houston was joined by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro in representing Texas as part of today's announcement.
Having strong allies and leaders in Texas helps move the national conversation about equality in the right direction and I'm happy to include Mayor Leffingwell's statement below.
MAYOR LEE LEFFINGWELL SIGNS FREEDOM TO MARRY PLEDGE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
AUSTIN - Mayor Lee Leffingwell has today joined dozens of mayors from across America in supporting the right of same-sex couples to marry by signing on to the Mayors for Freedom to Marry Pledge. The Mayors Freedom to Marry group - an effort of the national Freedom to Marry organization - aims to expand public and political support for ending discrimination in marriage.
"I'm proud to stand with the gay and lesbian community and defend their right to equal marriage," said Mayor Leffingwell. "The tide is changing in America and I hope that by joining this loud chorus, I can play a small role in helping set us on a path to full marriage equality in our country in my lifetime."
Other big city mayors to sign the pledge include Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, Michael Bloomberg of New York, Michael Nutter of Philadelphia and Thomas Menino of Boston. Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who is openly gay, is the only other Texas mayor on the list.
Community leaders in Austin applauded Mayor Leffingwell's decision to join the coalition.
"As the first openly gay person elected to serve on the Austin City Council, I am especially appreciative of Mayor Leffingwell's leadership on this issue," said former Council Member Randi Shade. "Mayor Leffingwell recognizes the importance of achieving marriage equality and is willing to fight for it."
"Mayor Leffingwell is to be commended for his pro-equality stance with regard to the Freedom to Marry initiative," said Rich Bailey, President of the Stonewall Democrats of Austin. "For too long we have seen the LGBT community used as a wedge issue in politics and it is refreshing, but not unexpected, for the Mayor to be supportive of the right of all consenting adults to enter into marriage."
"This is a very important step in the path to equality," said Anne Wynn, Founder of Atticus Circle. "I started Atticus Circle in 2004 in response to the trend of states constitutionally prohibiting same-gender couples from marrying and I am so happy to see my hometown standing up to achieve equality for every parent and every partnership."
"I appreciate Mayor Leffingwell's endorsement of this petition along with other U.S. mayors," said community activist Celia Israel. "It is yet another reason for all of us - not just GLBT Austinites - to be proud of our city."
"Mayor Leffingwell echoes the values and beliefs of Austinites - that ALL men and women are created equal," said Eugene Sepulveda, former co-chair of President Obama's GLBT Leadership Council.
"I've always known Austin to be a community of respect and I am glad to see our Mayor taking the lead on this issue," said Karen Gross, Austin Community Director for the Anti-Defamation League. "I hope other Texas mayors will follow suit and join this important effort."
"Public support for marriage equality has grown in leaps and bounds in this country over the past few decades and too often, politicians refuse to catch up with the times," said Karl-Thomas Musselman, publisher of the Burnt Orange Report. "Mayor Leffingwell is instead reflecting Austin's values by rejecting discrimination and embracing our entire community."
(Thanks, Kuff! Houston readers, what are your thoughts on this November's elections? - promoted by Katherine Haenschen)
Howdy. This is Charles Kuffner from Off the Kuff, and I was asked by the fine folks at BOR to write an overview of the 2011 Houston municipal elections. What follows is my effort to summarize it all for you. For more information, please see my 2011 Election page, which contains links to interviews I have conducted with the candidates (more are to come), campaign finance reports, and endorsement lists. On to the overview...
The Texas Progressive Alliance announced on Wednesday, December 30th that Houston Mayor-Elect Annise Parker is its "Texan of the Year" for 2009.
"Annise Parker's win is a testament to the power of grassroots campaigning," said Texas Progressive Alliance Chair Vince Leibowitz. "Key Houston progressive bloggers endorsed Parker and contributed to her win, with hard hitting stories contrasting her strengths with her opponent's weaknesses," he continued.
Annise Parker is the Alliance's fifth recipient of its "Texan of the Year Award." Parker joins former State Representative Carter Casteel of New Braunfels, who won the award in 2005; Carolyn Boyle of Texas Parent PAC in 2006; State Representatives Garnet Coleman, Jim Dunnam, and Pete Gallego who shared the honor in 2007; and the Harris County Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign in 2008.
With the election of Annise Parker as mayor of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States signaled that they pay more attention to qualifications than to sexual orientation. This news reverberated around the globe, and brought positive attention to Texas. National Democratic groups took note of a more progressive Houston than they assumed, and the talk and speculation turned to the possibilities of Texas turning blue sooner rather than later.
The Parker win was no accident. She put together a talented campaign team that ran on the strength of the grassroots, rather than City Hall insiders. Key Houston area progressive bloggers aligned themselves with Parker, and were embraced by the campaign. Blogs became an effective messaging strategy, emphasizing Parker's qualifications, and her opponent's weaknesses.
In the runoff, several third parties, including one longtime right wing operative who endorsed Parker's opponent, launched a series of homophobic attacks against her, but they failed to do her any serious damage because voters recognized her distinguished service as a member of Council and City Controller, and valued her experience and financial acumen. Voters knew who she was and what she was about because she had always been open and honest about it, and that was more important than anything some agitator could say.
For her historic victory, for making the rest of the world re-evaluate its opinion of Texas, and for running a truly modern grassroots campaign, the Texas Progressive Alliance is proud to name Houston's Mayor-Elect Annise Parker its Texan of the Year for 2009.
The Texan of the Year Award is voted on annually by the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance, the largest state-level organization of bloggers, blogs, and netroots activists in the United States.
Also earning recognition from the Alliance were Ramey Ko, Hank Gilbert, Calvin Tillman, Texas Watchdog, and State Representative Elliott Naishtat, who were each recognized as "Gold Star Texans" for 2009.
A few weekends ago you'll recall that Democratic candidate for governor Farouk Shami appeared on WFAA's Inside Politics in the Dallas/Fort-Worth media market. Shami took a swing at his primary opponent, Houston Mayor Bill White, that most folks may have missed but that I caught and have been looking into.
Oftentimes in campaigns a great deal of misinformation gets bandied about that if not nipped in the bud immediately can eventually become what I like to call a political myth---which is to say, a lie. Look no farther than the 2009 debate on reforming our country's health care system and how Republicans went out of their way to lie about important elements of emerging legislation.
During his interview with WFAA's Brad Watson, Shami made the following remarks when asked about platform specifics such as balancing the upcoming state budget in 2011 or how he'd create jobs:
By creating more jobs here. When you create more jobs you are creating more taxpayers and that is the only solution to create money is to create jobs. The current people in this state with the current governor, a Republican, not doing anything about it. Neither is the candidate from Houston. He is on the verge of bankrupting the city. We need to get rid of those things that really delays our budget and put us in a worse recession that we are in.
Many thanks to Justin Gillenwater at the Asian American Action Fund Blog for emailing me the original file. I'm sure that soon to be Mayor Parker will be keeping this voicemail for a while.
Many gay activists across the United States are cheering the election of openly gay Mayor-Elect Annise Parker and her victory over Gene Locke in the Houston mayoral runoff--and rightfully so. As a gay man myself I find her election to be a stunning example of how one's resume, experience, and positive campaign can supersede ones' sexual orientation as motivating voters to elect an openly gay candidate. This is a very exciting step toward tolerance and inclusion of gay Americans as qualified choices for elected office.
What happens in Houston can't easily translate to what happens, let's say, in Maryland. Odd statement, wouldn't you think? Openly gay elected official in Texas and not in Maryland? My point is that I don't believe that Parker's victory gives life to wider LGBT agenda initiatives. But, I do believe that her election gives momentum toward qualified, experienced and politically savvy gay candidates running for public office. If you want to really make a mark, and move elements of the LGBT agenda forward, get members of our community elected into positions of political power.
There is much discussion each election cycle of how sometimes in some areas of our communities we often lack a "bench" from which to tap qualified candidates into running for higher office. In some cases we may have a "bench" to tap into, but that "bench" is hardly--lets say, diverse? In fact, it reminds you of a really, really white only country club. It's time that as we pursue diversity on our bench that the discussion of diversity not only include the color of ones' skin or even their gender, but also their sexual orientation.
Many are celebrating today the election of a gay woman as the mayor of the fourth largest city in the country. That historic event should be celebrated. But I hope other aspects of her campaign are noted and remembered by those seeking public office.
Last year many wondered whether our country was ready to elect a person of color for President. While some voters still decide based on racial prejudice the majority of voters chose the candidate they believed to be most qualified without regard to skin color. The qualified candidate who ran the smartest, most organized and disciplined campaign won.
For the last year many wondered whether Houston was ready to elect a gay mayor.
Voters make their decisions based on numerous factors and motivations. Some still vote based on race. No doubt some voters chose either candidate last night based on skin color. Some voted for the man or for the woman. Some voted for her because she is gay. Some voted against her because she is gay. Some voted for whichever candidate they know the best. Some voted against whichever candidate they know the best. Some voted because one candidate shook their hand, said hello, or knocked on their door. Some chose because they agreed with literature they received in the mail. Some voted because they were offended by literature they received in the mail. Some chose because of TV ads or newspaper endorsements, or the advice of their friends.
When the polls closed and the votes were counted last night one thing was clear about the majority of Houston voters. Houstonians choose a candidate who is intelligent, qualified and has a record of exemplary public service who ran a clean, smart, aggressive and disciplined campaign. She turned out her base and won over independent voters. Her army of volunteers worked tirelessly. They did the work. All of it. Much of campaign work is not fun. Those who are willing to do all of it win. There is a price to win an election. I am not just talking about money. Too many candidates and campaigns think they can get the job by paying a discounted price.
The opposition candidate at a minimum, allowed others to use his campaign as a vehicle for hate, fear, oppression and bigotry. Houstonians rejected those tactics.
If you want to win public office you have to run a smart, aggressive and disciplined campaign. Do the work. All of it. Be prepared to pay the full price. It is worth it.
Judge Susan Criss
Houston has elected someone to succeed Bill White to succeed as its next Mayor. They just need to count the votes to learn which Democrat will serve next as mayor.
If you want the absolute most up-to-the-minute results along with 140-character commentary from all sorts of Houston people, follow the hashtag #HouMayor.
Final Update 10:18 PM: With 100% of precincts reporting, Mayor-Elect Annise Parker wins, with 52.8% of the vote. Campaigning on her experience and qualification for the job, Parker wins, and in the process makes history. -- Katherine
Update 10:13 PM: As Gene Locke concedes, it's clear that Controller Annise Parker will be the next Mayor of Houston, the 4th-largest city in America. Parker, Houston, and Texas all make history. It's a proud day for the Space City, and a proud day for all Texans. Congratulations, Mayor-elect Parker! -- Katherine
Update 10:01 PM: The Houston Chronicle calls it for Annise Parker. Houston becomes the largest American city to elect an openly gay mayor. Here in Austin, the 10:00 PM news on KVUE is also reporting that Parker has won. -- Katherine
Update 9:53 PM: MSNBC was the first to call it for Annise Parker, back with 68% reporting. Now with 89% reporting, Parker holds a 52.7%-47.3% lead over Locke. -- Katherine
Update 9:42 PM: Annise Parker is pulling away. Now with 68% of Election Day precincts reporting, 7,250 raw votes separate Parker from Locke; Parker now has 52.7%. Looks like Houston will become the largest American city to elect an openly gay Mayor. A big step forward for equality in the making. Texans should be proud to see it happen in our state's largest city. -- Katherine
Update 9:35 PM: In other races, At-Large Pos. 1 remains close, with less than 2000 votes between Costello and Derr. In At-Large Pos. 2, Lovell has a healthy ~8,000 vote lead over Burks. in At-Large Pos. 5, Jones is up by almost 6,000 over Christie. And in the Houston ISD Trustee #1 run-off, only 102 votes separate Anna Eastman from Alma Lara. Either way, that last race will see a victor with a four-letter name beginning and ending with the letter "a." -- Katherine
Update 9:23 PM: With 54% of Election Day precincts reporting, Annise Parker's lead grows to 4,745 raw votes, back up to 52%. With each update, Parker's lead grows. Also, for folks hitting F5 at home, there's a discrepancy in numbers between the Chron.com and KHOU websites -- seems to be that KHOU is including Fort Bend numbers? -- Katherine
Update 9:09 PM: Updates coming in fast and furious from Houston. This can only be due to the resignation of famed illegal voter-purger, former Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Betancourt. With 45% of precincts reporting, Parker increases raw vote lead to 3,869 votes over Locke; 51.7%-48.3%. Both the Houston Chronicle and KHOU are going a great job of updating their online tallies. -- Katherine
Update 9:03 PM: With 34% reporting, Annise Parker increases lead to 3,012 raw votes, but percentage drops to 51%-49%. Going to the wire. -- Katherine
Update 8:49 PM: With 21% reporting, Annise Parker increases her lead to 2,830 raw votes; 52%-48%. -- Katherine
Update 8:39 PM: As a note, the city council races I have mentioned so far are at-large races. There is also a runoff for a couple district seats, including Houston's District A, where Republican Brenda Stardig starts of with a lead over Democrat Lane Lewis in what has been a closely fought battle.
Update 8:33 PM: The first batch of votes have been counted. With about 13% of Houston's precincts in, Annise Parker has extended her still-small lead a little bit, now leading by 1,896 votes. Ronald Green and M.J. Khan pulled about even with those votes, leaving the Controller race about the same. Stephen Costello, though, has pulled to a slight lead over Ms. Derr for City Council, but that race is about as neck-and-neck as you can get. Also, incumbent Democratic City Council Members Jolanda Jones and Sue Lovell have started with leads in their respective runoffs.
Update 8:05 PM: There are a couple other things of note in the other city races. The race for City Controller, Houston's second highest office, is between Democrat Ronald Green and Republican M.J. Khan. Green has a respectable, well over 3,000 votes.
There also happens to be one race that is closer than the mayor's race, at least at the start. With absentee and early voting, Karen Derr is leading Stephen Costello by only 255 votes for City Council's Place 1. Derr is an active Democrat, and Costello has no official affiliation. Costello has helped out Republican causes in the past, but he has Democrats working his campaign and he is an engineer, giving him a message of unique and useful experience that has probably appealed to many Houston voters.
Original Posting: The Burnt Orange Report unanimously endorsed Annise Parker for Mayor, but a few of us might now be worried: this election is pretty darn close. After absentee and early votes from both Harris and Fort Bend counties, it is a statistical tie.
And a difference of just 523 votes. Interestingly, Gene Locke received over 90% of the vote in the Houston part of Fort Bend County, but very little of the vote comes from Fort Bend. The race is still pretty close in Harris County.
In the battle between internal campaign polls there now appears to be agreement from both camps in Houston that Annise Parker is leading going into the December 12th runoff election.
Previously, it was leaked that Gene Locke's internal polling showed Annise with a 43%-39% lead and 18% undecided. Today, Parker's campaign released their internal poll showing a similar number of undecided voters, but a larger margin over Locke.
A recent Lake Research Partners survey of likely voters in Houston's upcoming mayoral runoff shows that City Controller Annise Parker holds a strong lead over former City Attorney and lobbyist Gene Locke. In our recent survey, among likely voters with previous participation in past city runoff elections, Parker leads with 47 percent (37 percent strong) to 34 percent for Locke (27 percent strong). A fifth of voters (19 percent) remains
undecided.
Parker holds this large lead even though the poll simulated high turnout among African American voters. The sample was comprised of 54 percent Anglos, 30 percent African Americans, and 12 percent Latinos. Parker remains the best-known and liked candidate in the race and she maintains her lead even under a simulated attack.
Only a substantially negative campaign from Locke can interrupt her momentum. Sixty-seven percent of voters have a favorable impression of Parker and 62 percent think she has done either an excellent (21 percent) or good job (41 percent) as City Controller. Fifty-seven percent of voters hold a favorable view of Locke.
It was bound to start up again at some point- attacks on Houston Mayoral candidate Annise Parker, not based on any critique of her policy positions or campaign plans, but on her being a lesbian. Granted, Annise has been an out elected official for multiple elections and has hardly made the issue anywhere close to central as part of her campaign this year, but that won't stop the anti-gay forces from spinning a web of lies.
Houston Chronicle: A cluster of socially conservative Houstonians is planning a campaign to discourage voters from choosing City Controller Annise Parker in the December mayoral runoff because she is a lesbian, according to multiple ministers and conservatives involved in the effort.
The group is motivated by concerns about a "gay takeover" of City Hall, given that two other candidates in the five remaining City Council races are also openly gay, as well as national interest driven by the possibility that Houston could become the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay woman.
Another primary concern is that Parker or other elected officials would seek to overturn a 2001 city charter amendment that prohibits the city from providing benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees.
"The bottom line is that we didn't pick the battle, she did, when she made her agenda and sexual preference a central part of her campaign," said Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastor Council, numbering more than 200 senior pastors in the Greater Houston area. "National gay and lesbian activists see this as a historic opportunity. The reality is that's because they're promoting an agenda which we believe to be contrary to the concerns of the community and destructive to the family."
Eye roll.
The worst part is her opponent Gene Locke is courting the same awful people.
He appeared at the Pastor Council's annual gala last Friday and was encouraged several times by State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, a featured speaker, to stand for conservative values.
Locke has also met with and sought the endorsement of Dr. Steven Hotze, a longtime local kingmaker in conservative politics and author of the Straight Slate in 1985, a coterie of eight City Council candidates he recruited who ran on an anti-gay platform.
Houston deserves better. Our city has a well-earned reputation for tolerance and openness. We don't need inflammatory appeals to folks' worst instincts.
We've been here before. In 1997 a small-minded ballot initiative would have ended the city's affirmative action program that helped minority and women contractors. Mayor Bob Lanier went on the air in an ad that bluntly stated his opposition to a proposal that would "turn back the clock to the days when guys who look like me got all the city's business."
Lanier couldn't have been more clear: Discrimination is just not right.
It was a powerful moment of leadership. The referendum went down to defeat, and news outlets around the country marveled that a "wealthy white developer" had taken the lead on affirmative action.
It's time for another such moment of leadership.
...
The rhetoric of people like Steven Hotze and Dave Welch carries a high cost. Their support should not be purchased at the price of bigotry.
The Texas Progressive Alliance announced on Wednesday, December 30th that Houston Mayor-Elect Annise Parker is its "Texan of the Year" for 2009.
