Decision 2002

by Clarence Burton Bagby

The Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus Political Action Committee has endorsed 48 candidates for the Tuesday, November 5, general election. Neither Stonewall Democrats of Houston nor Log Cabin Republicans of Houston have endorsed candidates for this election.

After weeks interviewing candidates, the caucus PAC Screening Committee issued recommendations for the membership to endorse. Groups of four to eight interviewers screened each candidate and reviewed candidate questionnaire answers before the full committee made its recommendations.

"This is an outstanding group of candidates that really impressed our hard-working screening panels," Caucus PAC president Ken Jones said. "We do regret that although we did endorse a Republican in the primary, no Republicans responded to our invitation to screen."

Founded in 1975, the caucus (www.hlgpc.org) is the oldest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization in the South. The caucus PAC endorsed these candidates and issues:

Ron Kirk • U.S. • Senate Democrat

The former Dallas mayor will co-sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act as our Senator and also pledges to support the Local Law Enforcement Act (hate crimes bill) as well. Access www.ronkirk.com.

Sheila Jackson Lee • U.S. House District 18 • Democrat

Jackson Lee has an outstanding voting record on GLBT equality issues. She does not face significant opposition.

Chris Bell • U.S. House District 25 • Democrat

Bell's track record of support for GLBT equality during his years as an at-large member of Houston City Council includes support for employment equality laws (he voted for the Houston Non-Discrimination Ordinance), domestic partner benefits, and strong advocacy for HIV prevention and education funding. He pledges to support the federal ENDA and hate crimes bills. Access www.chrisbellforcongress.com.

Tony Sanchez • Governor • Democrat

Sanchez supports domestic-partner benefits and opposes bills that would outlaw gay and lesbian parenting and foster parenting. Sanchez also supports the Texas Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that has been introduced in each of the last several sessions of the Texas Legislature by openly gay state Representative Glen Maxey of Austin. He also stated his support for Dallas state Representative Harryette Erhardt's education bill banning discrimination based upon sexual orientation in Texas schools. Sanchez opponent Rick Perry opposes GLBT equality legislation including ENDA.

Kirk Watson • Attorney General • Democrat

Marty Akins • State Comptroller • Democrat

Charles Mauch • Railroad Commission • Green

Brad Rockwell • State Supreme Court Place 2 • Green

John Whitmire • Texas Senate District 15 • Democrat

Senator Whitmire has an outstanding voting record on GLBT equality issues. He does not face significant opposition.

Debra Danburg • Texas Rep. District 134 • Democrat

As the 10th most senior member of the Texas House of Representatives, Danburg has been the strongest and most vocal proponent of GLBT equality in the Legislature. Danburg faces strong Republican opposition since the longtime incumbent's district was redrawn to strongly favor a Republican candidate. Access www.DebraDanburg.com.

Scott Hochberg • Texas Rep. District 137 • Democrat

One of the strongest supporters of GLBT equality in the Legislature, Representative Hochberg faces strong Republican opposition since the 10-year incumbent's district was redrawn to favor a Republican candidate. Access www.scotthochberg.com.

Joe Moreno • Texas Rep District 143 • Democrat

* Garnet Coleman • Texas Rep District 147 • Democrat

* Jessica Farrar • Texas Rep District 148 • Democrat

Denise Crawford • 14th Court of Appeals • Democrat

Lee Arellano • 55th District Court • Democrat

Diane Feller • 152nd District Court • Democrat

Antonia Martinez Ingversen • 159th Criminal District Court • Democrat

Grant Hardeway • 182th District Court • Democrat

W. Robert Voigt • 183th Criminal District Court • Democrat

Ron Johnson • 338th Criminal District Court • Democrat

Rick Molina • 190th Civil District Court • Democrat

Wayne Slaughter Jr. • 208th Criminal District Court • Democrat

Herb Ritchie • 232nd Criminal District Court • Democrat

Bill Connolly • 245th Family District Court • Democrat

Robert Hinojosa • 246th Family District Court • Democrat

Lydia Clay Jackson • 248th Criminal District Court • Democrat

Ruben Guerrero • 263rd Criminal District Court • Democrat

Tasso Triantaphyllis • 270th Civil District Court • Democrat

Mary Kay Green • 308th Family District Court • Democrat

Richard Moore • 309th District Court • Democrat

Donna Kohlhause • 310th Family District Court • Democrat

Teresa Ramirez • 313th Juvenile District Court • Democrat

Debra Shafto • Harris County Judge • Green

Bruce Mosier • County Civil Court #1 • Democrat

Dinah Weems • County Civil Court #2 • Democrat

Mitchell Contreras • County Civil Court #3 • Democrat

Diana Musslewhite • County Civil Court #4 • Democrat

Sylvia Pubchara • County Criminal Court #2 • Democrat

Blanca Lopez • County Criminal Court #5 • Democrat

Al Leal • County Criminal Court #8 • Democrat

Randy Roll • County Criminal Court #9 • Democrat

Yolanda Coroy • County Criminal #11 • Democrat

Leslie Ribnik • County Criminal Court #14 • Democrat

James "Jim" Downes • County Probate Court #3 • Democrat

Marc S. Whitehead • Harris County Attorney • Democrat

Sylvia Garcia • Commissioners Court Precinct 2 • Democrat

Garcia has a good chance of becoming the first Hispanic and the first female elected to the court and only the second woman to ever serve. She is in a tight race with a former Pasadena mayor. Access www.sylviagarciacampaign.com.

David Patronella • JP Precinct Court 1 Place 2 • Democrat

In the 2001 Houston Bar Association Poll, Justice of the Peace Patronella was rated outstanding by 70.7% of the attorneys, rating the highest rating of any justice court. Judge Patronella also spoke at the last caucus general meeting.

Houston Independent School District Bond Election • FOR

After years of advocacy by the caucus and Parents, Friends & Family of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) Houston, the HISD board recently added sexual orientation to the district Student Code of Conduct. Note: Straight-ticket voting will not cast a vote on this issue.

* Denotes unopposed candidate

Election information and early voting locations: http://www.cclerk.hctx.net/elect.htm

Clarence Burton Bagby reported on MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts) in the September 2000 OutSmart. A community and political activist, he serves on the board of the Houston Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus.