Tight Race for Houston Mayor, With History on Line

[FreeState]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/us/30houston.html?_r=3

HOUSTON — Annise Parker does not talk much about her sexual orientation on the campaign trail. She prefers to focus on issues like drainage and balancing the budget.

“Over the years, it has become less and less of an issue for Houstonians, because I really believe Houstonians judge people based on what we can do,” Ms. Parker said in an interview.

Then she added: “I always told voters the truth. There is an element of, ‘Well, if she will tell us the truth about her sexual orientation she will tell us the truth about anything.’ ”

Ms. Parker, 53, is in a close three-way race that many political professionals here say is one of the most unusual in the city’s history, not because it has been bitterly fought but because it has been relatively tame.

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http://gaysocialites.com/2009/11/houston_could_be_largest_us_ci.html

A Lake Research poll released this week showed Parker in the lead with 27 percent of the vote. Brown had 21 percent and Locke had 17 percent. The undecided voters, at 24 percent, could determine the election.