Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez will be in San Antonio on Thursday, August 16 at Luther’s Cafe for an event which will be a combination political rally and drag show. The evening is being organized by SATX for Beto. “We primarily work to help Beto O’Rourke’s senate campaign,” Nicole Dahlquist, an organizer with the group…
A County Clerk in Texas Who Still Won’t Sign Same Sex Marriage Licenses
When the the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on June 26, 2015 that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples, there was push-back across the country from scores of local authorities who vowed not to issue marriage licenses to these couples. While most of that opposition has now been quelled,…
Stonewall Dems Endorse Gallego in Special Election, Announce Additional Picks for November
The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio have endorsed former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego in the Special Election to replace District 19 State Senator Carlos Uresti, who was recently convicted of 11 felonies including fraud and money laundering. Gallego is one of four Democrats running for Uresti’s seat. The others are: Uresti’s brother, State Rep. Tomas…
Abbott Agrees to Debate with Valdez, Who Says, “Call Me, Maybe?”
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune Gov. Greg Abbott has accepted an invitation from a TV station group to debate Democratic opponent Lupe Valdez on Sept. 28 in Austin — and she says she’s “in” but doesn’t sound sold on the specifics yet. The Republican governor’s campaign made the first move Wednesday evening, announcing it…
After Runoff, Three LGBT Texans Will Run for Congress
Three LGBT Congressional candidates from Texas scored victories in the Democratic Party runoff on May 22 and will now advance to face Republican challengers in the November election. Lorie Burch from Plano, Gina Ortiz Jones from San Antonio and Eric Holguin from Corpus Christi easily won their races with large majorities. One candidate, Mary Street…
Lupe Valdez Becomes First Openly Gay and First Latina Candidate to Win a Major Party Nomination for Texas Governor
By Patrick Svitek and Brandon Formby The Texas Tribune, May 22, 2018 After a tight race throughout much of the evening Tuesday, Lupe Valdez pulled ahead late to comfortably defeat Andrew White in the Democratic runoff for governor, according to unofficial returns. Valdez goes into the November general election as the first openly lesbian and…
Lupe Valdez, Andrew White Clash Over Abortion, Immigration in Debate
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune May 11, 2018 The Democratic runoff candidates for governor sparred Friday evening over abortion and immigration in their first and likely only debate before the May 22 election. Meeting at a church in Austin, Andrew White and Lupe Valdez sounded out their differences — sometimes with rancor — over…
Abbott Campaign Ad Attacks Lupe Valdez as ‘Too Liberal for Texas’
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released an ad attacking Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez as being “wrong for Texas” and makes mention of her sexual orientation indirectly by displaying a quote by Valdez in which she mentions her partner. In the 30-second ad, Abbott slams Valdez saying she would overturn legislation banning sanctuary cities and the…
Keeping Up with Gina Ortiz Jones, Who Wants to Unseat Congressman Will Hurd
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Editor’s Note: Jade Esteban Estrada is the author of Glitter Political, a series of articles detailing San Antonio’s elections. As a professional homosexual, I admit to feeling a little star struck when I see Gina Ortiz Jones, candidate for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, waving at me through the…
Voters in Del Rio, Texas Elect Gay Mayor
The City of Del Rio, Texas, elected a gay man as mayor during its May 5 municipal election according to unofficial results published by the Del Rio News-Herald on May 6. The race was won by 35-year-old Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano, who captured 62 percent of the vote, giving him a victory over incumbent Robert Garza.…