GLBT fundraiser for Congressman Charlie Gonzalez
Photos by Antonia Padilla, QSanAntonio.com, August 28, 2010

Congressman Gonzalez discusses GLBT issues at fundraiser
Photos by Antonia Padilla, QSanAntonio.com, August 28, 2010

Speaking to a group of his GLBT supporters at a fundraiser, Democratic Congressman Charlie Gonzalez gave an upbeat presentation that sought to manage expectations regarding issues important to gay voters.

Gonzalez told the group that starting in September of this year, some members of Congress will become preoccupied by the November election and will be distracted away from many issues, leaving only the interval between the Thanksgiving and Christmas recesses to complete any legislation this year. He said that come next year there may be fewer Democrats in Congress.

The Congressman said that he felt that the elimination of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was similar to the integration of black troops into the military. "It’s the same principle -- a ‘cousin’ of the issue."

In terms of when DADT might be eliminated, Gonzalez said that after passing in the House, the next move is in the hands of the Senate where 60 votes are need to begin discussion. He said he was hopeful of progress and that "the administration must move forward" on this issue.

When questioned about the military’s survey of service members regarding DADT, Gonzalez explained that the survey was one way for government officials to anticipate problems that may arise when the ban is removed.

In regards to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Gonzalez said, "We are so close, yet so far." He said he defers to Congressman Barney Frank and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin on this issue. He added that he will follow whatever recommendations they might make in their efforts to pass the bill.

Gonzalez made a point of telling his audience that they needed to pay attention to "bottom of ticket" local races especially those for judgeships. "Don’t let the judges get lost in the mix. Educate yourself on these races," he said. "These are people who can impact your life directly."

One of the questions Gonzalez was asked was about his reaction to the announcement that former Republican National Committee Chairman and George W. Bush consultant Ken Mehlman has come out as a gay man.

Gonzalez said he hoped Mehlman was sincere when he said that he would become an advocate for same-sex marriage. "I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt," he said. "I think its ok to have gay Republicans, just like I think its good to have Latino Republicans."

The fundraiser was hosted at the home of Alan Beckstead, Danny Lerma and Steve Annala. Other hosts were George Page, Lynn Armstrong, Olga Hernandez, Dr. Tom De Nappoli, and Mark Walker.

Forbrich fires first round in District 1 race
QSanAntonio.com, July 21, 2010

Even though City Council elections are not until next year, the race in District 1 is already experiencing some heated rhetoric. Candidate Chris Forbrich on July 19 issued a press release saying his opponent, Carolyn Kelley, has taken illegal corporate contributions to her campaign.

According to the Texas Ethics Commission’s website, "Texas campaign finance law, located in title 15 of the Election Code, prohibits corporations and labor organizations from making political contributions or political expenditures."

The contributions in question, listed in Kelley’s latest campaign finance report, came from Firstscore, Inc. ($500), Cashmatic, Inc. ($300), and Orville Carr Associates, Inc. ($500).

In going over Kelley’s campaign finance report QSanAntonio also noticed one individual is listed as having given two $500 contributions which is in violation of local election rules which permit only one $500 contribution per election cycle.

"Ms. Kelley should immediately return these illegal contributions, report illegal activities to the City, the Texas Ethics Commission and the Bexar County District Attorney," Forbrich wrote in his press release. "I also call on the DA's office to investigate Ms. Kelley's illegal activity and prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law."

In a phone interview with QSanAntonio, Kelley said that the contributions were taken in error and that the funds would be returned. She added that the listing of two $500 contributions by the same person was a transcription error.

An article in the Express-News says Kelley "called her acceptance of corporate money an innocent mistake. She blamed it on confusion following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that opened the door to increased corporate financing in political campaigns."

The new federal law does not cover the contributions made to Kelley’s campaign, which must comply with state laws. Kelley says she spoke to officials at the Texas Ethics Commission and they instructed her to file an amended return.

Kelley, who is a District 1 Zoning Commissioner and Tobin Hills Community Association President, says she was taken aback by Forbrich’s attack.

"I think it was blown out of proportion. I guess he’s going to run against me like he ran against the Councilwoman," she said, referring to incumbent Mary Alice Cisneros. "I’d like to move beyond this and concentrate on the issues that are important to District 1."

In his race against Cisneros, Forbrich proved remarkably adept at finding weak spots in a gaff-prone campaign and exploiting them. In that race he garnered 40 percent of the vote -- not enough to win but enough to convince him to run again.

Just like in his previous campaign, this time around Forbrich is pulling no punches: "If Ms. Kelley cannot adequately follow the law and manage a small campaign budget, how can we believe that she can oversee a city budget for one of the largest cities in the country?"

Council candidates battle over campaign finance violation
San Antonio Express-News, July 21, 2010
Chris Forbrich has accused his city council opponent, Carolyn Kelley, of willfully violating state law by accepting a corporate contribution. She calls it an innocent mistake.

District 1 duel
San Antonio Current, July 21, 2010
Early-bird District 1 candidate Carolyn Kelley turned in a campaign-finance report July 10 that indicates her seriousness and her viability: More than $26,000 raised in a race that limits individual donors to $500 per cycle and won’t really get under way until early next year. Software and IT entrepreneur Chris Forbrich, who’s making a second run at the seat, fired back Monday with an email calling for Kelley to turn herself in to the DA, City Hall, and the Texas Ethics Commission because she accepted campaign contributions from at least three corporations.

Primary winners Judge Monica Guerrero and Richard Garcia, Jr.

Victory for two GLBT candidates in primary
QSanAntonio.com, March 4, 2010

Two of the six GLBT candidates running in the March 2 Democratic primary scored decisive victories and will go on to face Republican opponents in the general election in November.

Judge Monica E. Guerrero of County Court 7 successfully fought off a challenge from attorney Deborah Sanheinrich by garnering 69 percent of the vote. Guerrero will go on to face Republican Eugenia "Genie" Wright in November.

Speaking to her supporters at her victory party at an Olmos Park restaurant (see photos below), Guerrero said, "Thank you to all my supporters who made the election win possible. I could not have won without you all. Now on to victory in November."

Criminal attorney Richard Garcia, Jr. staged something of an upset in his run for Judge County Court 12. His opponent, incumbent Judge Michael Mery was the odds-on favorite in the race who garnered numberous endorsements including the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio and the San Antonio Express-News.

Garcia won with 58 percent of the vote. He will go on to face Republican Scott Roberts in the general election

In a posting on his Facebook page Garcia wrote, "A huge thank you goes out to my family, my friends and my supporters. Your help, friendship, words of encouragement and your vote made the primary election a great success. Now we look to the future of November's general elections. Thank you again!"

A third candidate who's going into the general election is Rosa Maria "Rosie" Gonzalez , running for District Judge 436 Judicial District. Gonzalez ran unopposed in the primary. In the general election she seeks to unseat the Republican incumbent Lisa K. Jarrett.

Three candidates for Justice of the Peace slots lost their bids.

Travis Cox, candidate for Justice of the Peace, Pct 2 Pl 2 lost to Robert "Robbie" Vasquez who garnered 70 percent of the vote.

Mauro E. Garza, owner of the Pegaus bar and candidate for Justice of the Peace, Pct 3, narrowly lost to William Peche by 122 votes.

Albert G. Lopez came in third in a four-way race for Justice of the Peace, Pct 4. The top two vote-getters in that race, Avery D. Walker (27 percent of the vote) and Rogelio "Roger" Lopez (34.5 percent of the vote), will compete in the April runoff.

Photos -- Judge Monica Guerrero's victory party
QSanAntonio.com, March 2, 2010

Judge Monica E. Guerrero of County Court 7 successfully fought off a challenge from attorney Deborah Sanheinrich by garnering 69 percent of the vote. Her victory party was held at Ciao Lavanderia in Olmos Park.

The Bexar County Democrats held a pot luck dinner on January 4 to mark the filing deadline for the March 2 primary. Louis Hidalgo -- Chair of Precinct 2057, Rosie Gonzalez -- candidate for 436th District Court Judge, Gilbert Casillas -- Chair of Precinct 2114, and Albert G. Lopez -- candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Judge Monica Guerrero of County Court 7.

Roberto Flores, Chairman of the Bexar County Democrats, with David Plyar of the Stonewall Democrats. Dan Graney, President of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus with Mauro E. Garza, candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3.

Record number of gay candidates file for March primary
QSanAntonio.com, January 8, 2009

The offices and meeting rooms at the Bexar County Democratic Party headquarters in San Antonio were filled to capacity on the evening of January 4 as local politicos gathered to celebrate the filing deadline for the Democratic primary on March 2. When the party released the official roster of candidates it included six gay contenders -- more than in any previous local election.

"There will be over 100 candidates on the Bexar County Democratic Party Primary Ballot on March 2." said county Chair Roberto Flores. "I am pleased that a number of these candidates are openly GLBT. In the past, we’ve had openly GLBT candidates run for City Council, but having them run in the Democratic Primary is a first for Bexar County."

The list includes one incumbent, Judge Monica E. Guerrero of County Court 7, who is running for her third term. She is being challenged in the primary by Deborah Sanheinrich. The winner of this race will face Republican Eugenia "Genie" Wright.

Lawyer Rosa Maria "Rosie" Gonzalez, candidate for 436th District Court Judge, has no primary challenger. In the general election she seeks to unseat incumbent Lisa K. Jarrett.

Richard Garcia, Jr., candidate for Judge County Court 12. Travis Cox, candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Place 2.

Criminal attorney Richard Garcia, Jr. is running for Judge County Court 12. In the primary he is going up against the incumbent Michael Mery. The winner of this race will run against Republican challenger Scott Roberts.

Travis Cox, candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Place 2., is in a three-way primary race with Lauro Bustamante and Roberto A. Vasquez. The winner will face Republican incumbent Bill Donovan.

Albert G. Lopez is running for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4. Lopez faces four opponents in the primary -- incumbent Rogelio "Roger" Lopez, Deborah Spence, Roberto Vargas, and Avery D. Walker. The winner in the primary will claim a final victory since there is no Republican challenger.

Mauro E. Garza is a candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3. Garza, who is the owner of the Pegasus Bar, will run against William Peche in the primary. This winner of this race will face the winner in the Republican primary race between incumbent Keith Baker and Bob Behrens.

The emergence of so many local gay candidates appears to be part of a national trend that was described in a recent article in the New York Times. The report stated that according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, there are currently at least 445 openly gay and lesbian people holding elected office in the United States, up from 257 eight years ago.

The article goes on to say: "One key to victory for gay politicians has been building reputations in their communities as candidates well qualified for the job. Voters who may be uncomfortable with homosexuality in the abstract are often willing to vote for a gay individual they feel they know, political strategists said."