Carlos Vasquez, the openly gay Fort Worth school board member whom we profiled in a cover story last month, announced today on Facebook he plans to challenge State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, in next year’s Democratic Primary. Burnam is a staunch LGBT ally and one of the most liberal members of the House. Here’s Vasquez’s announcement:
After careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that many of the problems faced with public education are attributable to a broken State Government in Austin. With over four billion dollars cut in public education we need to refocus on what matters most, a strong public school system.
Today, I am announcing my candidacy for State Representative in District 90 in the Democratic Primary of 2012.
Please join me and invite your friends to my campaign kickoff on September 16, 2011 at Las Ranitas at the Grand Plaza 4200 South Freeway Suite 1715 from 5:30-8:30.
If Vasquez were to prevail in both the primary and general elections, he would become only the second openly LGBT legislator in Texas’ history.
Lon Burnham has been an amazing ally to our community and our entire area and is a progressive voice in Austin. I most certainly understand the need for change in Austin, but I would be more interested in supporting challengers where they are actually needed. Nonetheless, I commend Mr. Vasquez for wanting to make a difference!
And thank you to Rep. Burnham for all he does!