Ed Oakley seemed poised to make history when he ran for Dallas mayor. Unfortunately, voters didn’t agree: the openly homo politico lost 13,000 votes to straight businessman, Tom Leppert.
Victory Fund’s Denis Dison, whose gay group helped raise over $200,000 for Oakley’s campaign, lamented Oakley’s loss:
This would have been historic. For the ninth-largest city in the country, and in one of the reddest states in the country – it would have obviously been an amazing achievement.
Sure, Oakley’s upset about the loss, but he’s certainly buoyed by his 42% win:
I can’t tell you what it’s been like … to serve Dallas, change Dallas and put Dallas on a path of greatness. I truly believe I’ve been part of that.
Victory Fund’s Chuck Wolfe also celebrated Oakley’s relatively large stake in the city’s mayoral run-off:
They say ‘close’ doesn’t count in politics, but Ed Oakley’s historic campaign may have changed politics forever. That an openly gay man was a serious contender to become mayor of one the largest cities in America is a testament to the fair-mindedness of this country, and a wake-up call for the political establishment. Ed ran neck and neck with a self-funded opponent, but he never ran away from the truth about his sexual orientation.
Honesty in politics? How refreshing! Well done, Oakley. Don’t be discouraged, we’re sure you’ll make even more moves down the road to freedom.
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Jack Jett
My Fellow Homo Americans;
I am here to tell you that this was a clear cut case of homophobic media bias. Even though Mr. Oakley has years of experience, the media overwhemingly supported a business guy who just moved to Dallas a few years ago. The Heritage PAC made several thousand phone calls letting voters know that Ed Oakley is an “openly gay man” and that his opponent was a good christian man with a wife and a child.
While Dallas has long been know for its subtle media homophobia, this one caught them by surprise. They did not expect the “homo” to make it to the run offs. Once he did, they had to go into full BASH MODE.
I was sad to see that the city I grew up in is still living in the 1800’s. We could be the next Atlanta. However, when the media is operated by Pentecostals…it makes progress a little tough.
Jack Jett
paul-e-wog
Sorry America…I tried, and my one vote did all it could. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.