Former councilman says city headed for 'bright future': supporters say focus on sexual orientation made the difference

"Heartbreak" it was the one word heard most often Saturday night, June 16, at the election watch party for losing gay mayoral candidate Ed Oakley.

As Oakley took the stage to concede defeat while his crowd of faithful supporters yelled, "Ed is great," the candidate appeared to be struggling to hold back tears. Many people in the audience seemed to be sharing his struggle.

Several supporters said they felt "overwhelmed" by the results of the runoff election.

Retired businessman and political newcomer Tom Leppert defeated three-term City Councilman Ed Oakley by 58 percent to 42 percent. Of the 85,600 votes cast, Leppert received 49,517 votes, compared to Oakley's 36,083. It was a 13,434-vote spread, a result that startled observers who had expected a close race.

Three other gay candidates in the Dallas area in runoff elections also lost their races. In the District 3 City Council runoff, Dave Neumann beat gay candidate Joseph Hernandez by 52 to 48 percent. Neumann took 3,647 votes,
compared to Hernandez's 3,362 votes.

In Cedar Hill, incumbent Makia Epie beat gay candidate Jason Russell by 58 percent to 42 percent. She took 567 votes, compared to Russell's 409. In Frisco, David Prince beat gay candidate Chris Moss by 66 percent to 34 percent. Prince took 1,656 votes, compared to Moss' 840.

In all of the runoff races involving gay candidates, either the candidates or their supporters had complained about conservative groups using gay-baiting tactics to attack the gay candidates.

Oakley, who said he had just congratulated Leppert in a phone call, told the audience he believed Dallas was headed for a bright future, and that his opponent would be a good leader.

"I believe we have put Dallas on a path to greatness," Oakley said. "I truly believe that I have been a part of that."

Oakley noted that 250 people had knocked on doors all day long in an effort to get out the vote.

"I look at all of the faces here tonight, and I'm proud to have all of you as my friends," Oakley said. "Only in America and only in Dallas, Texas, could this have happened. Someone will benefit from all this work."

Oakley said it had been an uphill battle to raise money. His campaign was outspent by Leppert two to one, he said.

"But I'm proud we were able to do it," Oakley said. "I truly have enjoyed the ride."

As Oakley left the stage, he was swarmed by supporters hugging him. Many of them appeared to be close to tears.

Many supporters in the audience seemed lost in reflection.

Jeff Strater, political co-chair for the Human Rights Campaign's local steering committee, said he had known all day long something was wrong and feared the worst. At a polling site in Lake Highlands, voters walking into the election site avoided making eye contact with him, said Strater, who was wearing an Oakley for Mayor T-shirt.

"They wouldn't even make eye contact with me," Strater said.

Strater said he believes that all of the attention paid to Oakley's sexual orientation in the local and national media and the efforts of conservative groups to condemn the candidate had taken a toll.

Former gay City Councilman John Loza, said he was disappointed, but he predicted Oakley would make a comeback some day.

"He'll be back," Loza said. "You can't keep a good man down."

Longtime gay Dallas resident Jack Evans was philosophical about the loss.

"We gave them hell," Evans said.

E-mail: webb@dallasvoice.com