Jim Foster already facing as many as three Democratic opponents in 2010
July 1st, 2008
In my story last week on Dallas County government, I talked about how LGBT advocates are looking forward to the opportunity to replace Republicans on the Commissioners Court with Democrats in 2010. What I didn’t mention is that openly gay Couny Judge Jim Foster, a Democrat who chairs the Commisssioners Court, faces an uphill battle for re-election if he decides to run. Foster is not well known, and he’s had more than his share of criticism during his first 18 months in office. Unfair Park, the Dallas Observer’s blog, reports today that as many as three potential Democratic challengers to Foster have already emerged, including openly gay former Dallas City Councilman John Loza. To me, this means that if Foster plans to seek re-election and he wants the support of the LGBT community, he’ll need to help bring the county into the 21st century on gay-rights issues in the next two years. Foster says there aren’t enough votes on the Commissioners Court to get a nondiscrimination policy or domestic partner benefits passed, but I don’t think the general public will accept that as an excuse. Part of being an effective politician is doing the wheeling and dealing necessary to get things done.
UPDATE: According to Southest Dallas Dem’s comment below, it might be easier to compile a list of people who AREN’T considering running for county judge two years from now. But here’s just one more name for the rumor mill: openly gay former Dallas City Councilman Chris Luna. And if Luna, Loza and Foster all decide to run, I’ve already got our headline written: “GAY THREE-WAY FOR COUNTY JUDGE!”
July 1st, 2008 at 11:53 am
“but I don’t think the general public will accept that as an excuse.”
Honey, are you not from around here? The “general public” doesn’t give a shit about a silly county wide gay ordinance. The “general public” in Texas, and even in Dallas is still quite behind the two coasts on acceptance of gays and lesbians.
I had quit commenting on Instant Tea because, my comments were always edited, the editor won’t return my emails, and frankly no one really reads this anyway.
BUT, when I read that quote, I spit out my coffee and fell out of my chair. 70% of the “general public” voted to amend the Texas Constitution to ban the recognition of same-sex marriage.
Passing a county wide gay rights ordinance is hardly a priority for the “general public.” It is hardly a priority for the Dallas LGBT community. If there is such a thing as a Dallas LGBT community, their (our) priority should be getting Lupe Valdez, Rick Noriega, Barack Obama and other allies elected in 2008.
And our biggest priority should be doing everything in our powers to stop the anti gay marriage amendment from passing in California. That will have far reaching, devastating consequences.
If openly gay Jim Foster is already being challenged two years before the election by another openly gay politician, John Loza, in his own party’s (Democratic) primary, he is already doomed.
The “general public” cares about the roads, jail, budget, crime, etc. Do you even know Maureen Dickey, and the other Republicans on the court. Judge Foster is right, there are not enough votes.
I think sometimes people in the LGBT media spend so much time in their pink towers reading opinion pieces on the internet that they loose all touch with reality on the ground.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
You’re right, I guess I have been spending too much time in my pink tower. Here I thought gays in Texas might be concerned about the fact they can still legally be fired for being gay. I should have known that all they care about is whether gays in California can get married. Who needs a job anyway, right?
July 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Mz B - u are a bitter one lately! What happened to the fun free spirit you used to b? ur making this tranny very sad, Debbie Downer
July 1st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Sam Coats and Crazy Larry Duncan? Buy me a train ticket to Tarrant County!
Sam got like three votes in his quest for mayor (probably from the bloggers at Unfair Park).
And voters chose crazy Maxine Thorton Reese three times over Larry. I can’t imagine that Duncan would be any better than Foster. Duncan claims to engineer all the Democratic victories. I havent seen him do anything besides chit chat at democratic functions and crash fundraisers. He has the worst bed side manner of any politician. Zero personality.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Here is my short list of credible candidates for the democratic nominee for County Judge:
Jim Foster (he hasnt been indicted or anything, why not?)
Former State Rep Dale Tillery
Former State Rep Harryette Ehrhardt
Former Councilman John Loza
Former Councilwoman Veletta Lill
Former Councilman Ed Oakley
Former Councilwoman Lois Finkelman
Former Mayor Laura Miller
Former State Rep. Steve Wolens
District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons
Treasurer Joe Wells
Former School Board Member Jose Plata
Former State Rep Domingo Garcia
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:17 am
I’d like to see Kia run for office, work it out tranny!
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
The city of Dallas already has an ordinance that prevents employment discrimination based on sexual orientation which covers most of the county.
The way to protect gays and lesbians from job discrimination in Texas is to elect Barack Obama President, and a Democratic Congress that will pass and sign ENDA. The Texas legislature will never do that for us.
The legal recognition of gay marriages in California has far retching implications that will eventually directly effect gays and lesbians nationwide, including right here in Dallas.
Mz Kia, you don’t know the half of it… I would tell you but it wouldn’t pass the censors.
xoxo
Mz B
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
OH Mz Kia, I mean you don’t know the half of it about my feud with The Voice, not about the gay rights BS… I know that you get that…
The Voice should hire you to blog for them, they need more diverse points of view.
xoxo
Mz B
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
This comment by Miz B was inadvertently deleted from the blog. I am posting it now to correct that error:
“The city of Dallas already has an ordinance that prevents employment discrimination based on sexual orientation which covers most of the county. The way to protect gays and lesbians from job discrimination in Texas is to elect Barack Obama President, and a Democratic Congress that will pass and sign ENDA. The Texas legislature will never do that for us. The legal recognition of gay marriages in California has far retching implications that will eventually directly effect gays and lesbians nationwide, including right here in Dallas. You are childish and immature and you pick fights with people who should be your allies. You are not qualified to be the News Editor of the Dallas Voice. I know you never knew Dennis Vercher, but he would be turning in his grave if he read your posts. And I don’t appreciate my previous post being edited, and entire sentences removed. That is censorship, not the free flow and expression of ideas and opinions.”
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Congrats John you’ve hit the 10 comment mark! Maybe you should retire you’re foray into politics now while ur ahead….
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Alas, I was hoping it would happen on the Dan Branch post below, but what a milestone for still-green Instant Tea! We will someday look back on this and marvel at just how innocent we were.