Joel Burns at his campaign kick-off
Today is the filing deadline for local elections.
In Fort Worth, Joel Burns is running unopposed in District 9. Last night he held a campaign kick-off and fundraiser at the Fort Worth Masonic Temple. He posted on Facebook that he raised $82,000 toward his re-election campaign.
Former City Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks is challenging incumbent Kelly Allen Gray in District 8. Hicks resigned to run for U.S. House of Representatives District 33, the seat won by Rep. Marc Veasey. Hicks, whose district included the Rainbow Lounge, was a vocal supporter of the LGBT community after the 2009 raid.
In Dallas, a number of races of interest to the LGBT community are contested.
In District 1, incumbents Scott Griggs and Delia Jasso will run against each other because of redistricting.
In District 2, Herschel Weisfeld, Adam Medrano, Ricky Gonzales and Vernon Franko have filed for the race.
In District 14, Bobby Abtahi, David M. Blewett, Kevin M. Curley, II, Philip Kingston, Charles Kobdish, Judith F. Liimatainen and Jim Rogers and have filed.
Other races of interest to the LGBT community include District 13, where out businessman Leland Burk faces Jennifer Gates.
In Oak Cliff, a large LGBT neighborhood south of Kiest Park that is currently represented by Griggs moves into Vonceil Jones Hill’s district. She will be opposed by Michael Connally. Hill has consistently been the lone member of the council to refuse to sign letters for Pride and has never ridden on the Pride float.
Additional last-minute candidates may still file until 5 p.m.
