On Monday we told you that Theresa Daniel, a Democratic candidate for the newly redrawn District 1 seat on the Dallas County Commissioners Court, had sent out an endorsement letter signed by 17 “LGBT Leaders & Friends.” Among other things, the letter mentioned that Daniel is a longtime member of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, which is, of course, the party’s LGBT caucus. Well, apparently that came as a surprise to former Dallas City Councilman Jesse “J.T.” Price, who had endorsed Daniel for Commissioners Court. Daniel reports this morning that, after learning that she’s a member of Stonewall, Price requested that she remove his name from her endorsement list.
“I am disappointed by this development, and had I known Price held this view, I never would have used his name to begin with,” Daniel said in an email. “To my mind, being a Democrat means that you are inclusive and accepting of others. It also means that you are committed to fighting discrimination wherever it exists. I am proud of my convictions, proud of my work with the LGBT community and Democratic Party, and proud of my membership in Stonewall Democrats.”
FYI, in case you’ve never heard of Jesse Price, according to Dallas Morning News archives, he served on the council from 1967 to 1972.
Read Daniel’s full email after the jump.
STATEMENT FROM THE THERESA DANIEL FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER CAMPAIGN
Dallas, March 20, 2012
Yesterday, my campaign issued a letter of endorsement signed by 18 LGBT leaders and friends of the community, including Hon. Chris Luna, Don Maison, Amy Davis, Michael Lo Vuolo, Erin Moore, Jay Narey, Pam Gerber, Shannon Bailey, Robert Josef, Samuel Wenning, Michael Milliken, Harryette Ehrhardt, Michael Moon, Pamela Curry, Charles Griffith, Pauline Bourqui, Michael McPhail and Christy Kinsler.
The letter detailed my over 10 years of membership in Stonewall Democrats, my efforts to secure two State Democratic Executive Committee seats for Stonewall Democrats, and my recent support of a marriage equality resolution for the Democratic Primary ballot.
Unfortunately, after the letter was issued, I received a surprising request from former Dallas City Councilman Jesse “J.T.” Price, who has also claimed to be a Democratic organizer, requesting that I remove his name from my endorsement list, because I am a Stonewall Democrats Member. I am disappointed by this development, and had I known Price held this view, I never would have used his name to begin with.
To my mind, being a Democrat means that you are inclusive and accepting of others. It also means that you are committed to fighting discrimination wherever it exists.
I am proud of my convictions, proud of my work with the LGBT community and Democratic Party, and proud of my membership in Stonewall Democrats.
– Dr. Theresa Daniel
