Metroplex Republicans of Dallas President Rob Schlein beat Homer Adams by five votes to win his North Dallas precinct chair – making him the only known openly gay candidate to win a contested Republican primary in state history, he said.
“I’m elated,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Adams led in early voting with 67 votes but Schlein went to his local precinct polling location Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to talk to voters. He said many people told him they were voting for him because they didn’t like a recent mailer Adams sent out. He said he took that to mean it was likely an anti-gay flier.
By the end of the day, Schlein said he was up by 72 votes, leading to a final count of 256 to 261. The five-vote win was important to him, he said, especially after losing to Adams by three votes in 2010.
Precinct 1800, renamed after redistricting to 2041, is still in far north Dallas.
Adams, the husband of Eagle Forum President Cathie Adams, known as one of the most anti-gay voices in Dallas, has been precinct chair for the past 12 years.
Schlein said making history shows that his inclusive platform is appreciated by the Republican Party.
“It’s pretty sweet,” he said. “I think it shows the demographic shift that’s occurring so that the Republicans can remain a majority.”
