Group endorses Jasso in District 1; Margolin doesn’t seek support
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| Damien Duckett |
The Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance this week endorsed 10 candidates for Dallas City Council and two for the Board of Trustees at Dallas County Schools in May 9 municipal elections.
Fourteen of 36 candidates in 11 contested City Council races sought DGLA’s endorsement this year, filling out questionnaires and conducting interviews with the organization’s political action committee.
DGLA also endorsed three unopposed City Council incumbents who’d completed the screening process in previous years.
Damien Duckett, chairman of the PAC, said he’s pleased with DGLA’s slate of candidates for 2009, which marked 32 years of endorsements for the nonpartisan organization in city elections.
"I think it’s a really viable group of dedicated individuals who will work very hard for their districts and their city as a whole, and will represent the GLBT community in Dallas with great vigor," Duckett said. "I think it’s very important, especially whenever we have no GLBT representation currently on the council, to make sure we’re packing it full of people who are supportive of our issues."
In addition to the 14 candidates who sought DGLA’s endorsement, three began the screening process but didn’t complete it, one completed the process but didn’t seek the endorsement, and 22 didn’t respond at all.
The candidate who completed the process but didn’t seek DGLA’s endorsement was Ann Margolin. Margolin is in a high-profile, big-money race against Brint Ryan in District 13 for the seat currently held by Mitchell Rasansky.
Rasansky, who’s never been a strong supporter of the LGBT community, is term-limited.
Ryan didn’t respond at all to DGLA, which sent endorsement packets to the candidates by certified mail and e-mail, before following up by e-mail and phone.
"She [Margolin] was nervous about seeking our endorsement because she didn’t want her opponent to be able to use it against her," Duckett said. "The fact that [Ryan] did not respond at all to our endorsement packet and she did, I think speaks volumes in and of itself. I feel like she would at least be a supporter on our issues, where Brint Ryan would not be a supporter at all, if I had to guess."
In the race for the other open seat on the council, DGLA endorsed city Parks and Recreation Board member Delia Jasso in District 1, where five candidates are vying to replace Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia. Garcia, one of the LGBT community’s staunchest allies on the council, is also term-limited.
Three of the five candidates from District 1 sought DGLA’s endorsement, including Daniel Benchot, the only openly LGBT person running for council this year. But Duckett said DGLA never considered Benchot a viable candidate.
Patti Fink, president of DGLA, said sexual orientation doesn’t become a factor in the organization’s endorsement process unless all other things are equal.
"She has a strong history of service to the city, and she’s well placed, in terms of support and funding, to definitely make it into the runoff," Fink said of Jasso. "She’s a strong supporter and intends to be a strong advocate for us on the City Council should she be elected."
In Districts 11, 12 and 14, DGLA endorsed unopposed incumbents Linda Koop, Ron Natinsky and Angela Hunt, respectively. DGLA also endorsed four incumbents who are facing challengers: Pauline Medrano (District 2), Dave Neumann (District 3), Steve Salazar (District 6) and Sheffie Kadane (District 9).
In Districts 4, 8 and 10, DGLA didn’t make endorsements because no candidates responded. Those seats are occupied by incumbents Dwaine Caraway, Tennell Atkins and Jerry Allen, respectively, who all face challengers in their bids for re-election.
Caraway, Atkins and Allen didn’t respond to DGLA during their races in 2007, either.
Also not responding for a second straight election cycle were District 5 incumbent Vonciel Jones Hill and District 7 incumbent Carolyn Davis. In District 5, DGLA endorsed challenger Don Robinson, the only one of four candidates who responded. In District 7, DGLA endorsed challenger Anthony Rios, one of two who responded in an eight-candidate field.
Fink said when candidates don’t respond to DGLA, it typically means they don’t support the LGBT community or, as is often the case with newcomers, they’re overwhelmed by the time commitment associated with running for council.
"We would love to have all of them respond, and maybe a few cycles down the road, we will," Fink said. "I was very disappointed but not surprised that we didn’t get greater responses from some of the southern districts."
In the Dallas County Schools races, DGLA endorsed Larry Duncan and Cassandra Gandara, who are among four candidates vying for two seats in an at-large race.
Dallas County Schools, with 1,700 employees, provides transportation and other services to 14 independent school districts in Dallas County.
Fink identified the Dallas County Schools race as one of the most important this year for the LGBT community, She said DGLA is working with the agency, historically led by "good old boys," to adopt a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and implement diversity training.
"I think that’s just an amazing opportunity that we have there," Fink said.
Duncan is as an incumbent whose support for the LGBT community stretches back to the early 1980s. Gandara is an out lesbian and a young Latino Dallas attorney.
"She’s qualified, she’s viable, she has everything going for her," Fink said of Gandara, "and there’s no reason she shouldn’t win this seat, and she should definitely get the votes from the LGBT community."
Fink stressed that because turnout is so low in municipal elections, the LGBT community has a chance to make an impact in all of the races.
"It’s so important for our community to step up and participate and vote in these elections," Fink said. "It’s just as important if not more important than presidential politics. They say all politics is local, and this is as local as it gets."
Early voting in municipal elections begins April 27. For times and locations, go to www.dalcoelections.org. For more information on DGLA’s endorsements, go to www.dallasgla.org.
E-mail wright@dallasvoice.comRasansky, who’s never been a strong supporter of the LGBT community, is term-limited.
Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance 2009 Endorsements
City Council
• District 1: Delia Jasso
• District 2: Pauline Medrano
• District 3: Dave Neumann
• District 4: None
• District 5: Don Robinson
• District 6: Steve Salazar
• District 7: Anthony Rios
• District 8: None
• District 9: Sheffie Kadane
• District 10: None
• District 11: Linda Koop
• District 12: Ron Natinsky
• District
13: None
• District 14: Angela Hunt
Dallas County Schools
• At-large (vote for two): Larry Duncan, Cassandra Gandara
E-mail wright@dallasvoice.com
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition April 17, 2009.
It was with great disappointment that I did not receive the DGLA endorsement. Mr. Duckett never considered me a viable candidate comes as news to me.
Regardless, I will continue to be active and have my voice heard in the community. My focus will be on the people and our neighborhoods. The LGBT community will always have my support on issues that impact us the most.
I respectfully disagree with the rational behind your endorsement of Pauline Medrano. Your newspaper has failed to endorse the best candidate for the LGBT community.
The Voice has a difficult job in endorsing candidates and has a great responsibility in educating the public to the facts.
Sadly, my opponent is running on her record alone. She offers no solutions, no answers to how to stimulate the economy, no opinion on how she will lead the LGBT community on matters of Equality, Abuse, and Addisction. The LGBT community has not had true representation since Ed Oakley left office, and the district has been all alone since John Loza left City Hall.
I believe that with this endorsement of my opponent, you have failed to see the serious need for bold and dynamic at City Hall, but more than anything… the LGBT needs vocal leadership, and that is sorely lacking at City Hall,
When elected, I will continue to reach out to the LGBT community, and will offer that vocal leadership on the many issues of need that plague our brothers and sisters. It is time for a change.
I have not heard a whisper out of my opponent on whether she supports House Bill 538 or seen any progress on Equality in Benefits for all City Employees. Why has she not spoken up?
As mentioned above, I must respectfully disagree with the rational behind your decision.
I can only hope LGBT residents who live in Dstrict 2 will do their research. I am asking you all to seek out information, friend me on Facebook, and decide for yourselves whether you are better off than you were four years ago.
May 9Th, Vote Local for the best candidate… Vote Local for a change.
http:/billymacleod.com
And yes, I do realize this is a DGLA endorsement…which is different than The Voice actually endorsing my opponent directly. But to me, to the reader, it sure looks like The Voice is endorsing her. Nevertheless…my apologies for the insinuation.
Unlike Billy MacLeod, I would like to thank the DGLA for endorsing the BEST candidate for District 2 City Council. I’m happy that Pauline Medrano is running on her record because her record in District 2 is outstanding. Even though we don’t agree on issues 100% of the time most residents, including myself, agree with her the majority of the time.
I’m not sure where Billy gets his information from, but Pauline has offered solutions to many problems brought to her attention in District 2. She grew up and has lived most of her life in the District except for a few years away in other cities.
Back in the days when gay bars were being raided by police here in Dallas like they were all over the country, Pauline was there with her GLBT friends fighting for us and testifying on our behalf when it became necessary. She has never been afraid to stand up for what’s right, and she never backed down.
Pauline has been extremely active in helping to build neighborhood associations,and bridges between residents, businesses, city hall, police, and non-profits. She is the BEST person we’ve had in District 2 since I moved to the District over 8 years ago.
This is a woman who drives around her District at all hours of the day and evening checking things out and reporting things that need to be taken care of. Street light repairs, road repairs, trash, graffiti, code problems, and anything else that needs attention. I’ve seen her driving around neighborhoods at midnight looking for problems.
As as gay resident of the city I’ve had the pleasure of working with Pauline on issues in my area of East Dallas right along with issues in Oak Lawn where I hang out. With a phone call or an email she has never not responded to a problem that I or my neighbors have bought to her attention.
Recently with crime problems on Cedar Springs and the surrounding area she set up a meeting a with some of us from the area with the Deputy Police chief, and Angela Hunt to tackle the problems immediately. In addition her and her staff follows up on a continuous basis to be sure the city is doing what needs to be done.
Pauline has appointed GLBT residents to city boards and commissions. She is also great in explaining why she supports issues that some folks may not support. She’s easy to work with, she’s so dedicated to the job that I’ve seen her work from 600am to 1100pm without a break, and she does that most days of the week.
Billy, just so you don’t have any questions, I know for a fact that Pauline supports House Bill 538. I also know for a fact that she supports workers rights, human rights, and is the best candidate to unite the rich, the poor, the middle class, businesses, and non profits alike. She’s also battled homelessness, drugs, prostitution, illiteracy, and she’s a great proponent to keep kids in school. I’ve witnessed her talk kids one on one about returning to school when things have upset their lives like teen pregnancy and other problems.
I think we have the BEST candidates sitting in the horseshoe for the GLBT area of Dallas, and that’s Pauline Medrano and Angela Hunt. I invite everyone in D2 and D14 to get out and vote Medrano and Hunt on May 9th.
I want to thank the DGLA for giving me the time to speak to them. Regardless of who they endorsed, when I am elected you can rest assured I will be an ally at the Council.
As I mentioned to you at the Cathedral of Hope. I believe in equal representation for all people, after all we are in the same boat.
For everyone else who doesn’t know me, my website is http://www.votarportovar.com
Again thank you for your consideration.