Gay Democratic group backs Duncan over gay incumbent in race for Dallas County judge
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| County Judge Jim Foster and Larry Duncan. |
Openly gay Dallas County Judge Jim Foster cried foul this week after Stonewall Democrats of Dallas overwhelmingly voted to endorse one of his challengers in the March primary, Larry Duncan.
Foster, who’s reportedly the first openly gay incumbent not to be backed by the group, said it was unfair that a Stonewall member who’s a paid employee of Duncan’s campaign was allowed to participate in the endorsement process.
"To me, that’s a huge conflict of interest," Foster said.
"I have done more than the two of my opponents combined for the community," he added. "But the decision was not based on GLBT issues. The decision was based in my opinion on party politics, and that’s not right.
"I’m disappointed in Stonewall, which I’ve been a longtime member of. I have spent over 35 years of my life working on these issues for the GLBT community, and I’m disappointed that that is all for naught," Foster said.
Foster declined to identify the Stonewall member who works for Duncan’s campaign. But former Stonewall President Michael Moon, who participated in the endorsement process, acknowledged that he’s working for Duncan.
Both Moon and current Stonewall President Erin Moore said according to the group’s bylaws, any paid member in good standing 30 days prior to the endorsement meeting is allowed to participate, regardless of whether they work for a campaign.
Moon also noted that while he took part in a debate and vote on the county judge endorsement, he didn’t pose any questions to Foster, Duncan or Clay Jenkins when the three Democratic candidates screened for a committee last weekend.
Moore said Moon’s participation had "no bearing on the process." The endorsement committee voted 29-3-2 to recommend Duncan, with Jenkins receiving three votes and Foster receiving two.
"He was just another voice in the room," Moore said of Moon.
The endorsement committee’s recommendation of Duncan and 57 other candidates in the primary was ratified by Stonewall’s general membership on Tuesday, Jan. 19. With more than 150 people present, only two people voted against the slate of candidates, with two others abstaining.
Moore said she wasn’t surprised by the committee’s lopsided support for Duncan, who currently serves as president for Dallas County Schools and has been a staunch straight ally of the LGBT community since the 1980s.
"Larry’s been a longtime supporter of Stonewall Democrats," Moore said. "He’s supported the club whether or not he’s running for office. … He’s a great administrator, and that’s what the county judge does."
Moore also noted that Stonewall leaders have made it clear the group wouldn’t be giving a free pass this year to Democratic incumbents, gay or straight, who’d been endorsed in the past, as Foster was in 2006.
"We say that all things being equal, being gay comes into consideration, but it’s not the only consideration and never has been," Moore said.
Duncan said he was "extremely honored" to receive the group’s backing. "The Stonewall Democrats are known for the rigorousness of their screening process and the effort they put into campaigns," he said.
Openly gay Dallas County District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons, one of the founders of Stonewall who’s supporting Jenkins in the primary, said he was disappointed that Jenkins didn’t receive the endorsement. Jenkins has raised by far the most money of the three candidates, and he has the backing of numerous high-profile Democratic elected officials.
"Larry Duncan’s built positive relationships with a lot of members of Stonewall Democrats, and in a final analysis, that makes a difference," Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons added that he was bothered by what he called "a vicious slur" posted in story comments on Dallas Voice’s Web site last month, suggesting that Jenkins "doesn’t support the gay lifestyle."
"It was unsubstantiated and done anonymously, and it has absolutely no validity," he said.
Fitzsimmons also said there was a "whisper campaign" within Stonewall suggesting that Jenkins is uncomfortable with gay people.
In response to a question about the issue during the screenings, Jenkins said he was best man at a gay wedding, that he and his wife have vacationed with a lesbian couple, and that he had a gay roommate in college.
"I have a long history of not being uncomfortable with the gay lifestyle," Jenkins said.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 22, 2010.
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsements for the March 2 primary
Dallas County Democratic Party Chair: Darlene Ewing
U.S. Reps: Cong. Dist. 3: John Lingenfelder; Cong. Dist. 5: Tom Berry; Cong. Dist 26: Neil Durrance
Governor: Bill White
Lt. Governor: Ronnie Earle
Agriculture Comm: Hank Gilbert
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6: Keith Hampton
State Representatives: District 100: Terri Hodge; District 102: Carol Kent; District 105: Loretta Haldenwang; District 108: Peter Schulte
Justice, 5th Appeals, Place 4: Bonnie Goldstein; Place 12: Larry Praeger.
District Judge: 68th Judicial District: Martin Hoffman; 116th Judicial District: Tonya Parker; 134th Judicial District: Dale Tillery; 191st Judicial District: Gena Slaughter; 193rd Judicial District: Carl Ginsberg; 194th Judicial District: Ernie White; 203rd Judicial District: Davie Lamb; 254th Judicial District: David Hanschen; 256th Judicial District: David Lopez; 265th Judicial District: Mark Stoltz; 291st Judicial District: Susan Hawk; 292nd Judicial District: Larry Mitchell; 298th Judicial District: Emily Tobolowsky; 363rd Judicial District: Tracy Holmes.
Criminal District Judge: Court No. 7: Michael Snipes
Family District Judge: 301st Judicial District: Lynn Cherry; 302nd Judicial District: Tena Callahan; 304th Judicial District: William "Bill" Mazur; 330th Judicial District: Andrea Plumlee
Judge County Court At Law: No. 3: Sally Montgomery; No. 4: Mark Greenberg.
Judge County Criminal Court: No 2: Lennox Bower; No 3.: Doug Skemp; No 4.: Teresa Tolle; No. 5: John Loza; No. 7 : John Carlough; No. 8: Tina Yoo; No. 9: Peggy Hoffman.
Judge, County Criminal Court of Appeals: No. 1: Cas Callaway; No. 2: Jeff Rosenfield.
Judge, County Probate court: No. 1: Brenda Hull-Thompson
County Judge: Larry Duncan
County Commissioner, Pct. 4: Elba Garcia
District Clerk: Gary Fitzsimmons
County Clerk: John Warren
County Treasurer: Joe Wells
Justice of the Peace: Precinct 2, Place 1: Wesley Johnson; Precinct 3, Place 2: Michele Wong Krause; Precinct 4, Place 1: Mary Abeyta; Place 2: Katy Hubener; Precinct 5, Place 1: Luis Daniel Supelveda
Constable: Precinct 2: Jerry Pittman; Precinct 4: Charles Woertendyke; Precinct 5: Jaime Cortes
I hope the Stonewall Democrats will reconsider their endorsement of Katy Hubener for Justice of the Peace (precinct 4 place2). Sadly she is the only candidate on the Democratic primary ballot in this race, so I know it would be a difficult choice for the Stonewall community, but frankly Katy lacks an appreciation between the proper and improper use of police power and resources.
I am Harvey Jackson the former president of the Grand Prairie Democrats, prior to Katy taking that position through action of the executive committee when I resigned in 2007. At the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 she initiated a series of emails regarding business of the Grand Prairie Democrats (as a former president I’m a de facto member of the executive board) to which I responded. When it became apparent that I planned to attend the 2009 club elections she abruptly sent a series of threatening emails to me and contacted one of her police friends in Duncanville (a “Sargent Frazierâ€) who threatened me with harrassment charges at that time even though Katy had initiated the emails herself. She didn’t stop there sending both me and MY PARENTS (I kid you not!) defamatory letters just to send the message home. Needless to say, she was successful in securing my non-attendance to the elections which of course she won.
I really considered not making the issue until I heard that she was running for Justice of the Peace. That really concerns me . . . if she is so willing to abuse police resources as a private citizen for political gain, if we agree to give her the authority of Justice of the Peace what will she do then? I’d rather not find out, and since the Justice of the Peace is generally not a policy creating position I don’t think we lose anything politically by not endorsing her. I for one would like this to count as my negative endorsement for Katy. I don’t know the Republican so I won’t endorse him, but I think its irresponsible to stand idly by while we allow power to vest in the hands of someone very likely to abuse that power at her political whims.
Sincerely,
Harvey Jackson
The fact that Clay Jenkins refers to homosexuality as a “lifestyle” shows how out of touch he truly is with our community. Having gay friends and attending a wedding doesn’t automatically make a champion for gay rights.
Stonewall ought to know about these kinds of issues and avoid them to allow a seamless, transparent and controversy free endorsement process.
It seems obvious that any POTENTIAL for or APPEARANCE of a conflict be removed from the process. Michael Moon should have known better.
As the current Vice President of Stonewall Democrats, I just want to say that our entire candidate screening and endorsement process is very straight-forward and is outlined in our By-Laws. Our Endorsement Committee, of which I was a member, sat for 3 days, spending more than 21 actual clock hours listening to nearly 100 individual candidate responses to several different
pre-written questions as well as spontaneous questions asked by our
members off the floor.
We made no secret of the fact that all candidates would be held to a higher standard this year since there were so many candidates seeking our coveted endorsement, particularly those in contested races.
Individual members may disagree
with some of our endorsements, but I can state unequivocally that the process itself was conducted
in a fair and open manner.
Dallas’ gay community really knows how to eat its own. (Pun 1/2 intended.)
We’re a long ways away from equaling Houston and its gay power…
Mr. Foster refers to his “35 years of working on GLBT issues” and whines that it was apparently “all for naught.”
I’d like Mr. Foster to detail for us exactly what that work has been over the past 35 years.
I know of no GLBT issue he has ever championed, no GLBT board he’s ever served on, and no GLBT community groups he’s ever been involved with.
After 35 years of “work”, you would think he would be a recognized community leader instead of a perennial candidate who just got lucky.
I have been involved in the gay community, HIV support and advocacy community, and gay democratic politics for since 1984, my freshamn year of college (Giving away my age). So I have been in Dallas for all or most all of the past 26 years so I have some memory of much of the “35 year” time period which Judge Foster speaks.
I would like to take this oppourtunity to associate myself with Ms. von Fuerstenberg’s remarks. I do acknowledge that Judge Foster was one among many gay pioneers in the Dallas law enforncement circles, and I in no way wish to disminish his service in local law enforcement. I will also note that Judge Foster was the owner of a security company which had a rather contriversial tenure on the Cedar Springs strip. Other than that “a perennial candidate who just got lucky” pretty well sums it up.
Larry Duncan on the other hand was friend to the LGBT community way before it was in any way cool. Larry took the time to understand LGBT & HIV issues and then did the right thing, even when there was no political advantage for him to do so. Last I checked there is not now, nor has there ever been a thriving, busseling, LGBT community in Pleasant Grove or any other part of Larry’s old city council district. So Larry did the right thing, because it was the right thing, what more can anyone ask of him?
Larry took the lead in getting the first HIV funding coming from the City of Dallas. Even our first elected out gay Dallas council member credits Larry Duncan for helping him win.
So I’m going to take exception with Judge Foster, and request that he substaniate his claim that he has done twice as much for the LGBT community than Larry Duncan. Your not the only one with a long memeory Judge Foster, lets hear it, and if you cant back up your claim then you should apoligize to Larry for demaeaning his record on LGBT issues.
A big thank you goes out to all those Stonewall Democrats who sat through that marathon session over a number of days to personally interview all those candidates. I know all to well how difficult this important community service is, unfortunately it fell absolutely right on top of the ethics filing due date or I would have been right there with you.
I know Judge Foster, Larry Duncan, and Michael Moon and I have no problem with any of them. Stonewall’s overwhelming 85% endorsement of Larry Duncan, is an adequate representation of the support Larry has and deserves within the LGBT community for being one of this communities oldest and best straight allies.
It never ceases to amaze me that the Dallas GLBT political “notables” will spend every waking hour discussing issues only reserved for the powerful and elite, thus in this instance political candidacy.
Both this obsession for pointless political gain (with nothing to show for it) combined with the continued corruption, abuse of power, retaliation and the blatant disregard of our own clearly exemplifies how sad our Dallas GLBT community “leadership” circle has become.
Remember, no one stays on top forever, regardless of how many gay political organizations, police officials, gay publications and judges one buys off.
If you all spent as much time actually doing something tangible for the community instead of trying to ruin each other for political gain, fame and glory, then perhaps people from all over wouldn’t have such a sour opinion of Dallas GLBT politics………..
Dear Minority Whip,
One would assume from your pseudonym that you are a Republican. Either that, or you were just too cowardly to post your real name with your comments. I want to hear all opinions even those that disagree with my own – as long as the person making the comments or post has the “gonads” to admit ownership. You clearly do not.
Be a man girl, and OWN your comments.
Maybe you and I don’t run in the same
circles, but the people I know don’t have sour opinion of Dallas GLBT politics, in fact, quite the opposite.
Most of the people I know here in
Dallas feel that we are very lucky
and blessed to have a GLBT community that is very cohesive compared to
many other large cities.
Yet many people, perhaps you included,
may choose to “sit on the sidelines” and criticize others for their activism.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion,
as long as you have some
“leather in the game” so to speak.
At least groups like the Stonewall Democrats, Log Cabin Republicans,
DGLA, HRC and others are TRYING to
enhance the stature of the GLBT community by establishing relationships with candidates and elected officials who represent us. At least these
groups are doing SOMETHING
for the Community rather than NOTHING.
I have found that usually the loudest criticism tends to come from the most apathetic individuals in our Community.
Like it or not, “politics” is a part of
life and if you don’t take an interest
in who is elected – then someone else-
someone probably a lot less GLBT friendly will decide who your elected
representatives will be for you.
That’s a dangerous proposition indeed
and one of the reasons I am politically
active.
I’m also proud to say that I have voted in EVERY election since I turned 18.
Have I always liked the candidates
who were running ? NO.
Have my candidates always won ? NO.
But I still keep voting because it is
a right and a duty as an American citizen that I take very seriously.
Gay minority whip’s comments make absoultely no sense. Is he for against Foster? Who knows. Who cares.
When Constable Mike Dupree was targeted and driven from office, Foster claimed in private that he knew the charges against Dupree were bogus, but refused to make a public comment or even speak to Democratic Party officials and opinion leaders in private so they could feel comfortable coming to Dupree’s defense. That is a betrayal of our community and a tremendous disservice to the citizens of Constable Precinct 5, since we now have a constable who is under criminal investigation for some of the same things for which his brother-in-law served prison time.
County Judge is the highest ranking elected position in Dallas County and also the highest ranking Democrat elected to public office in Dallas County. We need a leader with a much higher profile than Foster – who has shown no leadership as either County Judge or a Democrat.
I’ve known Larry Duncan since we worked together to implement single-member districts for the Dallas City Council. That change enabled LGBT, Hispanic, and Black candidates to be elected to the Dallas City Council. Under the old districting system, we would never have elected any of the LGBT city council members that have done so much for our community. At one point, we had a higher percentage of LGBT city council members than San Francisco!
Larry Duncan deserves our gratitude and thanks for his work and leadership to implement single-member districts.
I am supporting Larry Duncan because he’s the best candidate, the best Democrat, and the strongest leader running for County Judge. I would not support Foster under any circumstances, given what I stated above.
We do ourselves and our community no favors when we support a candidate simply because the candidate is gay, especially when their tenure in office is mediocre at best. I’m always happy to give LGBT candidates a boost over others when they are qualified, have leadership ability, and I agree with their positions on issues, but I won’t support someone for office simply because they are gay.
I’m happy that Stonewall endorsed Larry, but their endorsement had no impact on my decision since I gave my support to Larry Duncan at the Democratic Party Labor Day Picnic.
Hey Jay,
You have just proved my point completely about the destructive and retaliatory nature of GLBT politics in Dallas.
Perhaps when you are done puffing out your chest and proving to everyone how big your political “gonads” are along with the promoting of your activist sellout mafia organizations, maybe we can actually get some work done in the Dallas community rather than hearing endless elitist activist platitudes while you all help yourselves to the success pot.
By the way, FYI miss know-it-all, I am an independent.
Mr. Gay Minority Whip:
I’m sure you would not hurl baseless accusations of corruption.
Please tell us who you are and about the wonderful things you have done to advance equal human and civil rights for all, or for that matter, any public service in which you have participated. I am always interested in opportunities to be of service and hope you would invite us to join you.
We’d also like specifics on the corruption among GLBT organizations and activists which you mentioned so that we can take action against the “activist sellout mafia organizations” and elitist activists who spout “platitudes while you all help yourselves to the success pot.”
In my experience, the LGBT political community is effective, respected, and hard-working. If you have evidence to the contrary, it is important that you provide specifics and documentation so that we can root it out and clean up our community.
Thank you in advance for your help and support in cleaning up our community.
I’m still waiting for Mr. Foster’s extensive list of 35 years worth of mighty accomplishments on behalf the GLBT community.
Mr. Staples,
I find your question about community corruption rather ironic. I mean, don’t you know ?? Aren’t YOU a person who, according to your previous message, breaks bread with some pretty notable political figures in the community ?? And with all this political clout, you are still out of touch with what’s really going on in the Dallas GLBT community ?? Give me a break !!!
This is a classic example of political notables who spend all of their energy campaigning while they are out of touch with the community at large.
Concerning your inquiry into what public service organizations I am a member of, no thanks……….God forbid you and your political notables would carry on the Dallas tradition of infiltrating those organizations in an attempt to ruin someone’s reputation and blackball them because they disagree with the GLBT political machine.
Just so you know, it is those who work in the shadows and who are never recognized or who never boast their accomplishments are the true advocates for change. The rest is just empty platitudes and hot air.
I’ll be eager to see your article here in the Voice about how you had the bravado to stand up against community corruption, hold accountable those responsible and how you challenged the GLBT corporate / non-profit /political status quo. I can’t wait to hear your results of “cleaning up our community”