Mike Rawlings, left, and David Kunkle
In terms of flexing their political muscle, Dallas’ LGBT political activists have shown a somewhat lackluster performance in the municipal election this year.
Businessman Mike Rawlings, the apparent frontrunner in the mayoral race that concludes in a runoff election June 18, failed to receive endorsements from either Stonewall Democrats of Dallas or the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance Political Action Committee. Instead, DGLA endorsed Ron Natinsky, the losing candidate in the election, and Stonewall Democrats endorsed David Kunkle, who came in second and faces Rawlings in the runoff. DGLA even expressed reservations about Rawlings, and the group has endorsed Kunkle in the runoff.
But Rawlings, who enjoys the endorsements of The Dallas Morning News, most current and former elected officials — including gay ones — and even Natinsky, appears to be headed for victory. Kunkle, the former Dallas police chief who proved himself to be a good friend to the LGBT community, is greatly admired and respected in the LGBT community, but it just doesn’t look like he is going to be our next mayor.
Given all of that, maybe it’s time for LGBT political leaders to start paving a political inroad to a potential Rawlings mayoral administration. We’ve enjoyed remarkable access to the mayor’s office for many years now to our enormous benefit, and we sure don’t want to lose that.
In the District 12 council runoff, there is an opportunity to elect Sandy Greyson, who as a former councilwoman voted favorably on LGBT issues during her previous four terms in that seat. Greyson, who also is endorsed by The Dallas Morning News, stepped down because of terms limits and passed the seat to Natinsky, who also proved himself to also be an ally. Greyson’s opponent in the runoff, financial planner Donna Starnes, is an unknown factor in regard to LGBT issues. As a Tea Party member and organizer, her alliances could possibly put her on a collision path with our community.
However the runoff turns out, the LGBT community seems to be on solid ground with so many political allies already seated, despite the fact that two openly gay candidates lost their bids for council places. But it never hurts to be on the winning side in politics, especially 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.
So the question is, does Stonewall support Kunkle? Who is the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance Political Action Committee going to endorse? I think if we ever going to think that things are going to get quiet here, we have to start negotiating. Ohhhh and if you think that Dallas is going to become the next Detroit, guess what happen with blonde over there 2day https://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/maurine-dickey-explodes-at-com.html
If Rawlings gets elected, any “paved inroads” will have to be designed by some famous architect from another country and paid for by OUR tax dollars! Don’t give up yet, people–cast your vote for David Kunkle and get 10 of your friends to do the same thing.
This is the ultimate form of political ‘sucking up’ – instead of dancing with the one that brung you, you decide you like the bandleader in his flashy suit better.
Kunkle has been supportive of our community for years, and this comment -written by someone who does not even live in Dallas – is an insult to not only Kunkle but the community as a whole.
Ask Rawlings if he will ride in the parade, but make sure he knows the top of the car has to be down so we can all see him.
Look, I don’t have a problem with Kunkle, the problem is crime in the area where I still Get my mail, and where My Voter Registation Card says. The Kleberg Area has just been filled with robberies in the last few years, we have been robbed at least 3 times, and our cars being broked into, and the PD, well, they don’t do nothing beside eating at the McDonalds enstead of going around making there rounds. I feel safer in Downtown then in my own “hood” I work downtown and get out at night, and thankfully nothing has happen to me there. I don’t need numbers to tell you whats going on here. I hope once redisticting is over with, we can at least get some attention here! I just don’t want crime to go up, although DISD Schools are still crappy, I’m I the only Gay person in the town that give a flick about the schools?