Two LGBT Democrats from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area have announced their candidacy for seats in the Texas House of Representatives. Jessica Gonzalez from Dallas is seeking the Texas House District 104 seat, which is currently held by fellow Democrat Roberto Alonzo. Finnigan “Finn” Jones from Arlington is hoping to capture the Texas House District 94…
Despite Reports, Dallas County Sheriff Says She Hasn’t Resigned to Run for Governor
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune November 29, 2017 *Editor’s note: This story has been updated throughout. Democratic Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez is still weighing a run for governor, despite reports that she has resigned ahead of a likely a campaign. Multiple local news outlets in North Texas reported her resignation Wednesday evening. At…
Lesbian Attorney from Houston Declares Run for Texas Senate
Attorney and political activist Fran Watson from Houston has filed her application to be officially placed on the ballot as a Democratic primary candidate for Texas Senate District 17. Watson traveled to Texas Democratic Party headquarters in Austin to file her application on November 21. If she emerges victorious in this race, she will be…
Rosie Gonzalez Announces Run for Judge of County Court at Law 13
In a brief announcement on November 16, local attorney Rosa Maria “Rosie” Gonzalez threw her hat into the upcoming Democratic primary for Judge County Court at Law No. 13. “It’s official. I’m in,” Gonzalez told her friends and associates who gathered to hear her announcement. “Justice can‚’t be bought. No signs, no commercials, no push…
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez Emerges as Potential Challenger to Gov. Greg Abbott
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune November 6, 2017 Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez has emerged as potential Democratic challenger to Gov. Greg Abbott in 2018. In an interview Monday, Valdez described herself as “in the exploratory process,” looking at the data for a potential run against the Republican incumbent. “I’ve been approached and I’m…
Van De Putte Endorses Gina Ortiz Jones in District 23 Congressional Race
Former State Senator Leticia Van de Putte announced she is endorsing Gina Ortiz Jones in the Democratic primary for the Texas 23rd Congressional District. “Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t mince words – Gina is exactly the type of leader we need to win back TX-23,” Van de Putte said in her announcement.…
Equality PAC Endorses Gina Ortiz Jones in District 23 Congressional Race
Equality PAC, a political action committee formed by members of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, is endorsing San Antonian Gina Ortiz Jones in the race for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. “Gina Ortiz Jones is exactly the kind of candidate we need to gain a pro-equality majority in 2018,” Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), the…
Lesbian Candidate Gina Ortiz Jones Challenges U.S. Rep. Will Hurd for District 23 Seat
The first candidate to challenge Republican Rep. Will Hurd for the Texas 23rd Congressional District seat is a native of San Antonio, an Air Force veteran, a former member of the National Intelligence community, and an out lesbian. In announcing her candidacy on August 2, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones said, “I’m running to make sure everyone…
Meet the owner of a gay bar who is challenging Texas Gov. Abbott
By Alex Samuels, The Texas Tribune July 24, 2017 Jeffrey Payne thinks Texas is ready to turn blue. That’s why the openly gay, 49-year-old Dallas Democrat who owns five businesses — including The Dallas Eagle, a popular gay bar — is doing what some might say is impossible: attempting to win the governor’s seat by…
Gay Dallas Businessman Throws Hat into Governor’s Race
A gay businessman from Dallas announced on Friday, July 14 that he has filed the necessary paperwork to initiate a run for Governor of Texas as a Democrat, becoming the first candidate to challenge incumbent Greg Abbott in the 2018 race. Jeffrey Payne, owner of the the Dallas Eagle and four other businesses, told KTVT-TV…