- Dave Guy-Gainer
Dave Guy-Gainer lost his bid to become Tarrant County’s third openly gay elected official on Saturday. Incumbent Gerald Joubert defeated Guy-Gainer in a runoff for Forest Hill’s Place 3 City Council seat by a margin of 282 votes to 227.
Asked whether he feels his sexual orientation was a factor in the outcome, Gainer said: “Perhaps, but I really don’t think so. It was a ‘newcomer’ taking on a 12-year incumbent.”
Guy-Gainer added that it was a “great race” in which he learned a lot about Forest Hill.
Perhaps this will also give him more time to focus on repealing “don’t ask don’t tell.”
With Guy-Gainer’s defeat, Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns and Fort Worth ISD board member Carlos Vasquez remain the only two openly gay elected officials in the history of Tarrant County.
People like Mr. Guy-Gainer deserve our appreciation. Although he was not successful this time in winning his election, he did pave the way and make it easier for the next LGBT person to run.
Kuddos and congratulations to Dave, he is a hero to people he has never even met.