Dallas Mayoral Election: The End of the Laura Miller era

[dfwcre8tive]

Leppert, Oakley headed for runoff
11:47 PM CDT on Saturday, May 12, 2007
From Staff Reports
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/051307dnmetdallasmayor.62241469.html
And then there were two.

Former construction company executive Tom Leppert and District 3 City Council member Ed Oakley took the top spots in the crowded Dallas mayoral election Saturday. Mr. Leppert drew 27.1 percent of the votes and Mr. Oakley garnered 20.7 percent.

None of the 11 candidates seeking to replace Laura Miller captured a majority of the votes, and the two leaders now head to a June 16 runoff.

Mr. Leppert appeared to have drawn strong support across North Dallas, while Mr. Oakley’s supporters mostly were in West Dallas, with a few scattered precincts across the south.

Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill had 13.9 percent and was followed closely by banker Max Wells who had 12.2 percent.

This has been the most expensive mayoral race in Dallas history, with more candidates than anyone can remember.

The candidates together have spent more than $4.5 million by Election Day. That’s more than any previous campaign, and it doesn’t include the money runoff candidates will spend.

Mr. Leppert led his opponents both in fundraising and in campaign expenditures. And his well-oiled campaign also attracted endorsements from many members of Dallas business and political elite.

But other candidates also have amassed huge war chests and gathered key endorsements. Mr. Oakley, taking advantage of a high-profile council service, touted southern Dallas credentials and reached out to North Dallas.

Another deep-pocketed candidate, Mr. Wells, the race’s oldest candidate, connected his face with past political victories. Mr. Hill was hoping to ride his widespread support in the south into a runoff. His entanglement in a two-year-old FBI investigation into corruption at City Hall has dogged his campaign and crippled his fund-raising efforts.

Current council member Gary Griffith was heavily courting Republican voters, and retired airline executive Sam Coats was making similar appeals to Democrats. Lawyer Darrell Jordan has made the run for mayor before and hoped to draw support from the vote-rich north.

Staff writer Dave Levinthal contributed to this report.

[dfwcre8tive]

The election map is very interesting:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/graphics/0507/elections/electionsMap.html

[dfwcre8tive]

The Battle of the Century: Leppert vs. Oakley!!!
Sat May 12, 2007 at 09:38:46 PM
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/05/the_battle_of_the_century_lepp.php

Our Man Downtown's about to become Our Man at Gilley's, as Matt Pulle's on his way to Tom Leppert Party-Down HQ to wrangle a few quotes from the top vote-getter (thus far, but who's kidding whom?) in today's mayoral election. So, it's damned near a done deal: Tom Leppert and Ed Oakley will square off in the runoff, and, finally, the mayoral election has the necessary juice to get yer juices flowing. We should hope, at least.

Already at Dallas' Only Daily, Scott Park is wondering if Oakley's possible ascension to the center square means Dallas is "the next San Francisco," after the recent victories of Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Dallas County Judge Jim Foster. (If so, does that mean we get the Golden State Warriors in a trade? Just wondering.) And Leppert's slam-dunk tonight does prove two things: You don't need to live here too long to win here, and the Citizens Council ain't dead yet. Oh, and get your TollTags ready for that high-speed Trinity toll road. --Robert Wilonsky

[FoUTASportscaster]

Oh, and get your TollTags ready for that high-speed Trinity toll road.

Not if anything to say about it I have!
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1200/405pxmasteryodacf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[VectorWega]

Overbuilding and the desire to fill them with disregard for credit/background checking (aka slumlord practices) was the issue.

Overbuilding is the issue, but demolition is not the answer? (contradiction?) Then what is? Leaving them vacant? As for credit/background checking they don't have a choice. If property owners need to find quality tenants, many properties would be vacant.

[tamtagon]

Oakley versus Leppert

I'm glad the strong mayor initiative failed. Neither of these two have shown recognition of the subtle modifications to mayoral operating proceedures which would make Dallas 14-1 municipal government vastly more efficient. In my opinion, Oakley and Leppert, and all the other mayoral candidates, still seem stuck on the idea that the mayor needs to call the shots.

Really, though, I guess the necessary functional change in Dallas politics will continue to struggle until the DCC modernizes its mode of interaction to focus more of the residents of Dallas rather than the politicians of Dallas.

14-1 is frustrating because during its so far very brief existance, big public works projects (Central, TRP) have progressed very slowly. But this is where the brilliance of 14-1 is revealed - these big projects could have been expedited with glorious business-world efficiency, but the public works projects would have benefited the busines world much more than the public world.

The business leaders of Dallas MUST realize the overwhelming benefit to political, municipal, business and civic realms that comes from a realignment of the focus of politico-busines interaction to improving the quality of life for Dallas residents.

[LH_Newbie]

As far as the runoff goes, between Leppert and Oakley... I like to consider my vote to be AGAINST Oakley instead of for Leppert. :) Lesser of two evils, indeed. I have a serious issue with a person that doesn't understand what a conflict of interest is. It's blatant that he is using his insider knowledge to pad his own pocket. That, IMO, is the worst thing you can do in public office (or any private position, too).

Brian

[Mballar]

Did Oakley ever take Sam Coats up on his offer (http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/04/sam_coats_read_schutze_and_dec.php#more) to explain his conflict(s) of interest? If not, maybe Steve Blow(hard) could write a story about that for "The Paper."

[Cliff Dweller]

So Dallas has a gay Democrat running for mayor with a real chance of winning; who would have predicted that 10 years ago? The sad thing is, he should be my dream candidate and I can't bring myself to vote for him.

[warlock55]

My response to the runoff candidates is "Ugh."

Both of them seem awful. I might not even vote unless I learn something new and positive about one of them. I'd resign myself to Oakley if not for his issues vis-a-vis the Trinity River Tollroad, and his moronic drive to bulldoze apartment complexes. The only way that'll reduce crime is if they bulldoze them with the criminals inside. :2doh:

[downtownguy25]

The only way that'll reduce crime is if they bulldoze them with the criminals inside. :2doh:

That does not sound very aclu.

http://www.stoptheaclu.com/

[Lakewooder]

Well, it was all very strange how things shook out. A lot of disappointed people.

Saw Scott and Brandon (with the petition) while voting with my mother - my mother thinks Leppert is wearing a wig.

[frankchitown]

Well, it was all very strange how things shook out. A lot of disappointed people.



Believe it or not, many people aren't even aware there was a mayoral election Saturday. On the train this morning I overheard a lady behind me ask her seatmate what she thought of the outcome, to which the other lady replied "I didn't think that one [mayoral election] wuz til next year, I thought this one wuz to build that Trinity Lake or somthin"

[Milkman Dan]

The apathy shown by the citizenry in this election does not bode well for the Trinity petition, IMO.

[Lakewooder]

I guess I just live in my own little world. East Dallas and Lakewood has always been very politically active - there are a lot of people here who love and care about Dallas. So, it's like the forum here - a lot of talk about the races. And a lot of people go to the fundraisers and events.

I went to the Swiss Ave. Tour yesterday and there was a group in front of the Ehrhardts for the Trinity Vote Petition.

Also, Brandon had to put up with what, 3-4 blockers? They even went after us as soon as we opened the car doors!

[CityLove]

The thing people still don't get is that the petition isn't just being signed at polling locations. TrinityVote volunteers are being very active in gathering signatures, so that even people who aren't necessarily civic-minded enough to go to the polls will still get the chance to sign.

[frankchitown]

Are there any estimates of how many sigs have been collected so far?

[Milkman Dan]

Hunt has stated she won't be releasing any numbers before the petition drive timetable ends.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I guess I just live in my own little world. East Dallas and Lakewood has always been very politically active - there are a lot of people here who love and care about Dallas. So, it's like the forum here - a lot of talk about the races. And a lot of people go to the fundraisers and events.

That's why we have been active in the area, like White Rock Lake. It is easier to get people involved when they are already motivated to do so. Percentage wise, this area is great for us.


I went to the Swiss Ave. Tour yesterday and there was a group in front of the Ehrhardts for the Trinity Vote Petition.

This is why the blockers efforts will ultimately be in vane. We could do the petition without the polls, but it just so happens that the polls will make it easier.


Also, Brandon had to put up with what, 3-4 blockers? They even went after us as soon as we opened the car doors!

And I still got between 70-80% to sign. Lil' ole me against four blockers for the last part of the day. And I still got 30 or so in a slow hour, including mama Lakewooder, who didn't want to sign at first.

[dfwcre8tive]

Tonight on one of the news station there was a story about Oakley and Leppert now vying for the endorsements of the losing candidates. Whoever nabs Hill's endorsement could gain many southern sector votes.

One endorsement both sides DO NOT want is that of Mayor Miller (especially in getting votes from S Dallas). Who do you think Laura Miller will bestow her endorsement upon?

[CityLove]

Ed Oakley, I hope.

[mjblazin]

Based on the projected demographics of run off, Mr. Oakley's time would be better spent working on North Dallas areas that did not go with Mr. Leppert. Without Laura Miller and Don Hill in the race, I'd expect South Dallas' voice to be very muted.

Leppert's people have exactly the race they wanted. Besides just getting votes, the extensive efforts in the south were to keep Mr. Hill out of the run off. The more votes Oakley took from Hill in the south, the better for them.

The north will coalesce around Leppert and he'll still get some southern votes because he has some key players at grass roots.

One thing I've never understood about Dallas city politics is how lousy politicians, regardless of their personal qualities, end up on the council. In cities like NY, Chicago, etc., alderpersons and council persons are the archtype for the word "connected". Other than possibly the rep in my new district 2nd, it doesn't seem like any political organization exists throughout the city. Consequently we give these people a seat, a vote on city business, but they have minimal coattails on any issue. Their only power is the vote on the council. No one is beholden to them or actively seeks their advice (except on to get someone else's vote on the council). One result is that these people fade away to obscurity once they leave the council.

[jsoto3]

An interview with outgoing Dallas Mayor Laura Miller:
http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=153390

Heinbaugh blog: Legacy of Mayor Miller:
http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=153325

[dfwcre8tive]

Transgendered former Dallas mayoral candidate Jennifer Gale found dead in Austin
01:46 PM CST on Wednesday, December 17, 2008
From Staff and KVUE-TV reports
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121708dntexgale.709fa3f0.html

A body found near the University of Texas campus this morning is that of perennial mayoral candidate Jennifer Gale, Austin fire officials said.

Ms. Gale, 47, a transgendered homeless former Marine, had run unsuccessfully for numerous public offices in Austin and Dallas. She finished ninth out of 11 candidates in the 2007 race for Dallas mayor.

In Dallas' 1995 mayoral race, she earned five votes as a write-in candidate.

The body was found in front of the First English Lutheran Church in the 3000 block of Whitis Avenue where Ms. Gale was staying, and officials told KVUE-TV they feel certain the body was that of Ms. Gale.

...

Ms. Gale gained fame in Austin by repeatedly running for multiple offices, including mayor, City Council, governor and Congress. Ms. Gale was also known for attending municipal hearings where she presented arguments in song. She planned to run for Austin mayor in 2009.

Ms. Gale ran for Dallas mayor in 2007 and wanted Dallas to legally recognize gay and lesbian unions, turn the Trinity River Corridor into a working farm and extend publicly subsidized health and dental benefits to residents.

[RobertB]

I rode the bus with Jennifer twice -- once in Dallas when I was helping city council candidate Angela Phillips, and again in Austin during this summer's Democratic convention. She was certainly unusual, but she was great fun to talk to. She seemed to be completely at ease around everyone, despite creating a persona that set her apart from the world.

As far as I could tell, she was homeless by choice, and I would have to guess that she spent much of her time on the bus if I could encounter her twice in two different cities. Her politics weren't grounded in any particular reality -- if I recall correctly, she didn't even know that the Texas Democratic Convention was going on when I came across her in Austin. Like anyone with an excess of personality, conversation with her could be overwhelmingly intense. But she clearly cared deeply, if fuzzily, about the world around her. Dallas and Austin are a little less interesting today with Jennifer Gale's passing.

I do hope someone will take the time to talk to the people who knew her, both as Jennifer and as a (assumably male) U.S. Marine. What happened to the one-time jarhead that made him put on a dress, strap on a pair of sometimes off-center boobs, and become Jennifer Gale, the sometimes subtle, sometimes flamboyant icon of the Austin and Dallas subculture?

[RobertB]

Updates from Austin news sources:

* News 8 Austin has remembrances from Austin politicos (http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=227242&SecID=2).

* The American-Statesman says she was sleeping outside a church (http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/cityhall/entries/2008/12/17/jennifer_gale_found_dead.html) at 6am, but at 7am the custodian reported her "in distress". The article also mentions that Jennifer had submitted her paperwork for another run for Austin mayor in 2009.

* Channel 42 quotes Austin EMS as saying she died from cardiac arrest (http://www.keyetv.com/mostpopular/story/Austinite-Jennifer-Gale-found-dead/ibzRyKEbHEGUGuKD6J-2Ow.cspx), and also notes her 2009 mayoral bid.