The Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance’s PAC issued its endorsements this week after candidates submitted written questionnaires, had private and confidential interviews, and participated in a public forum.
Endorsements were made in seven races.
Two incumbents are vying for District 1. Both Scott Griggs and Delia Jasso were endorsed by DGLA in previous races in different districts. Redistricting put both in the same district and the organization endorsed Jasso because of her “unwavering and aggressive advocacy for issues important to the LGBT community.”
“Delia’s assertive perseverance in making LGBT issues a top priority in her service at Dallas City Hall has yielded an LGBT Task Force that gets measurable things done for our community, including a direct ongoing working relationship with City Manager Mary Suhm and others empowered to make needed change,” DGLA-PAC wrote in its endorsement.
The PAC chose Adam Medrano in District 2.
“Adam’s experience on the school board has given him special knowledge of LGBT-specific issues, particularly as it relates to LGBT youth,” DGLA-PAC wrote. “He is a proven advocate for our community and has the sort of coalition-building skills required to make him an effective councilmember.”
Claudia Meyer is the choice for District 3 to replace incumbent Vonciel Jones Hill, who is hostile to the LGBT community. Hill, who was redistricted into District 3, did not seek the endorsement.
“Claudia is a 20-year resident of District 3 and has long been involved in citizen advocacy work benefiting the district and the city as a whole,” the PAC wrote. “As a medical social worker and former director of an assisted living facility, Claudia is strongly positioned to advocate for our aging LGBT community.”
DGLA-PAC endorsed two unopposed candidates — Sheffie Kadane, Jr. in District 9 and Jerry Allen in District 10 — because, the group wrote, both have become reliable allies.
In District 13, DGLA-PAC endorsed openly gay candidate Leland Burk.
Opponent Jennifer Gates did not seek the endorsement.
In addition to his business experience, DGLA noted, “Leland is a supporter of LGBT equality and has demonstrated that he will work with the community on the council.”
Jim Rogers is the PAC’s choice in District 14.
Citing his experience as a CPA and an attorney and a strong record of volunteer service, the PAC added, “Jim came to the DGLA-PAC endorsement process with an articulate grasp and depth of knowledge on LGBT issues we had specifically identified, and offered creative ideas on some we had not.”
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition April 26, 2013.
