Mike Rawlings, left, and David Kunkle
It might look to some like frontrunner Mike Rawlings has the momentum building for an easy win in the Dallas mayoral runoff, but Kunkle supporters claim they are going to come from behind for an upset victory on June 18.
LGBT political activist Jesse Garcia said there are many “unknown factors” that could lead to a Kunkle victory. Runoffs traditionally produce poor turnouts, and without any South Dallas candidates being on the ballot there will be fewer votes cast from that area where Rawlings did so well in the election, Garcia said. Another unknown is the number of voters that abstained in the election but might vote in the runoff.
In a recent blog post I wrote that Rawlings had received endorsements from many past and present gay officials, and Garcia said that misrepresented where the majority of the LGBT community stands politically. “He only has certain key people, not the whole community lined up,” he said. Garcia added that Kunkle also has major support from LGBT “super activists” who contribute so much to civic affairs.
In fact, an analysis of the election results showed that Kunkle enjoyed strong LGBT support when he came in second behind Rawlings. In the 10 precincts where the most LGBT voters are believed to live, the Dallas Voice analysis showed Kunkle took 44 percent of the vote in those precincts, to Rawlings 37 percent.
Garcia also noted that it is unclear how those people who voted for Ron Natinsky, who failed to make the mayoral runoff and threw his support behind Rawlings, will actually vote. The runoff in District 12 for Natinsky’s former council seat is also on the ballot, so presumably many of his supporters will be returning to the polls, along with District 14 voters that traditionally turn out in large numbers.
My blog post, in which I wrote that LGBT leaders might want to start paving an inroad to a possible Rawlings administration in light of his failure to attract any endorsements from LGBT groups, apparently didn’t greatly concern the Kunkle camp until The Dallas Morning News commented on it. That did cause a commotion several days after my post had drifted into what I had believed to be obscurity. Garcia told me my post was unfair, and that it gave the impression that LGBT voters should just give up and vote for Rawlings. That’s not what I meant, but interpretation often swings wildly between writer and reader.
Dallas Morning News City Hall reporter Rudy Bush referred to my blog post as a “remarkable editorial” and noted that it could be a sign of a shift in LGBT support and even influence how the community might vote. That was real flattering, but the truth is my opinions do not reflect the official position of the Dallas Voice, nor do I command that much influence in the community. Bush didn’t make any mistakes, but he probably placed a little more importance on what I said than it actually commands.
Even so it prompted Stonewall Democrats of Dallas and the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance to take the remarkable step of issuing a joint press release condemning me for expressing my opinion and The Dallas Morning News for reporting it. For the record, I didn’t endorse anyone, nor did I suggest that anyone “roll over” or “suck up.” It’s true that I live outside of Dallas, but I still consider myself part of the DFW LGBT community. (Read their joint press release here.)
At any rate, Garcia is correct in his assessment that the race is not over and anything can still happen. But I still think it is a good idea for our community to be sure we enjoy good relations with both candidates. It wouldn’t hurt to start laying the groundwork for whatever develops and whomever winds up at the top of City Hall.
Early voting in the runoffs continues through June 14. You don’t have to have voted in the May election to vote in the runoff. For a list of early voting times and locations, go here.
Perhaps credible journalism instead of potstirring and troublemaking would go over better!
I don’t understand why so many people have so much trouble understanding that as a columnist I express opinions. I’m not writing news stories. The purpose of a column is to spark debate about issues of concern to the community. That’s what I’m paid to do. There is no intention to cause trouble for anyone.
Perhaps stick to trailer park trials and tribulations of Cedar Creek and keep out of the city folk politics.
I have been dissapointed with the Voice for awhile now. I said back at Easter that I think the Voice has become part of the Dallas Morning News. Now the DMN is actually referring to stories from the Voice! I think both David Web and David Tafet needs to step down so that we can actually have some real unbiased news to read.
David, you are doing a fabulous job of sparking debate about how much we are tired of your column!
Having lived and owned residences in Dallas for four decades, I think I’m just about as qualified as anyone else to discuss city folks’ politics. The number of people who know as much as I do about the history of LGBT history is limited. I am in Dallas every week, I have many friends who still live there and I assure you that I will continue to write about the DFW LGBT community and its issues.
If Kunkle is elected and robberies are not up to at least 40% a year after his in office, then we must recall him! I’m sick and tired of having to deal with crime, if you care about the schools and the so called Southern Sector, vote Rawlings! Bring it on people! Can we get something here south of 30?
Sheesh – what a string of bitchy posts. Keep up the good work, David. Kunkle has my vote. He’s a good man and will be good for Dallas. Rawlings is just another Leppart, the Citizens Council guy. Did your preacher tell you to say that, preppystudent?
Starting to sound like one of those self promoting Stonewall Democrat “super activists”. Drag queen scandals of East Texas are more your style of writing.
Garcia’s use of “super activists” is quite snotty. Not everyone has a cush government job that lets you have the time to be a “super activitist”. What an elitist. He’s cozying up to Kunkle because it’s his only chance to get appointed to the airport board. The last council and Rawlings have enough sense to keep him off that board.
David — Your artlce was just fine. Stonewall Democrats are now irrelevant after the James Nowlin debacle. They will never be taken seriously ever after that endoresment over Angela Hunt. I’m sad for them.
Who does Jesse Garcia think he is? And Stonewall is a freaking JOKE! I like so many others, left stonewall, and I don’t even bother with their crappy endorsement lists any longer. So, Jess and Stonewall, you can keep your “super activists” opinions to yourself. The rest of us will vote for who we think is right for Dallas. And quite frankly, if your look at the last election returns, it looks like the gay voters were evenly split between Kunkle and Rawlins. But in the end, my vote will go to Rawlins!
Stonewallers are really good a sending press releases. That’s about it.
@Lenore Walton and Nathan:
I appreciate David Webb revisiting his prior blog so any confusion that the Dallas Voice had issued an endorsement (as the Dallas Morning News blog insinuated) would be cleared up. It was, and I applaud David Webb for making this happen, along with Randolph Bush at the Dallas Morning News.
As for as for the super activist terminology, I was describing to David Webb that for every former or current gay elected official that Mike Rawlings has listed as a supporter, there are activists who have been on the street engaging community members for years – who I believe are just as influential — that have supported David Kunkle. Super may not have been an appropriate adjective to use, but I was aiming to describe those people who take time from work, dig deep into their pockets, and sacrifice free time for the cause. These activists are showing up to testify when we needed to pass an anti-bullying code at DISD, showing up to testify when we needed to pass a fully-inclusive nondiscrimination policy at Dallas County, and traveling to Austin to meet with right-wing legislators to try to convince them to respect the LGBT community. Whether marching downtown against homophobia or registering LGBT people to vote, these folks (who may never seek office) make themselves available.
Why should their standing in the community be any less important than those that were elected to office? How does this activism equate to the description of an elitist?
As far as my job, I have taken my personal vacation time allowed by work to advocate for our civil rights. To insinuate that I somehow get special privileges is wrong and misleading to people reading these comments. Rather than taking time to visit with family or travel for fun, I save my vacation time knowing that I will be called upon to attend meetings when the Resource Center Dallas needs to meet with an elected official. When Equality Texas needed people to testify, I made time to travel to Austin. When LULAC needs to address a civil rights complaint, I am able to meet with parties involved. This is all annual leave, my money, which I give to the cause.
Regarding the airport board appointment, I was asked to serve by city council members who respect the LGBT community and saw a need to diversify. This opportunity came to me. When the opportunity to get an LGBT person on that board became available, I went for it. I believe I would have been the only person that was not a lawyer or business person on that board. Just a regular citizen. To insinuate that I want an election to be won because I have a desire to be on this board is false. Today, my time is already committed to serving on two boards, AIDS Arms Board of Directors and the Dallas County Historical Foundation, where I do so to help the community, not make a profit.
I chose to support David Kunkle because I have known him longer, respected his outreach to our community prior to this mayoral race, and will do a great job as mayor. I’ve met all candidates for mayor and I had the pleasure of getting to know Mike Rawlings, who David Kunkle called a noble man and I agree with that assessment. I have nothing against Rawlings. He is just running against the person I am supporting.
My assessment of support from the LGBT community was based on election results in our neighborhoods, not solely on endorsements from organizations. Facts not opinions.
No, my preacher did not tell me that or my father and I’m Catholic thank you very much. That comment right there M Streeter is just raceist. This town will never get it, now we will have to deal with the race card and it seems like Dallas is under a rock. @Nathan- your right, if you thought that the May District 14 Race divided the LGBT Community, this race is even worse. I hope y’all will check you mailboxes 2day on one main reason I stick to my vote.
P.S. I’m not being paid to post stuff, this is what I’m thinking about and just a normal Dallas Voter
Funny how Garcia’s rebuttle sounds like self promotion. This guy seems to join groups so he can issue press releases with his name on them. Time to pass the torch to younger leaders, Garcia.
Yes, time to pass the torch. Likely he wrote the email tirade from work.
Throckmorton and DSYDer,
I would appreciate if used your real names. It’s the least you can do if you going throw insults. What are you afraid of?
I was accused of several things and I responded accordingly. I have the right to defend myself when people are slandering me.
Regarding young leaders, I work with youth on a regular basis and I have been empowering people in my organizations so they can be future leaders. So yes I will be grooming a new generation of leaders that won’t cower to bullies on blogs posts.
I just don’t join groups. I sit on their boards and make them work to better this community.
While you hide behind your “Throckmorton” and “DSYDer” anonymities too scared to even declare your names (you’re probably the same person), I’m working on next week’s meeting with an elected official to work on fully-inclusive protections in the education field.
What are you doing for the community besides slamming others who actually do work? Does your activism begin and end at a keyboard?
And DSYDer, my earlier post was crafted and sent during my lunchtime at a Fedex Kinkos downtown.
If you get brave enough, drop by my Oak Cliff car wash this Sunday between Noon and 4 p.m., where teens that I mentor and I will be washing cars to raise money for our summer conference. I’ll have the receipt waiting for you.
Oh my, Super Activist Jesse getting cranky.