Houston Mayor Annise Parker plans to run for statewide office in 2018

[TexasTowelie]

It’s been a busy few months for Houston Mayor Annise Parker — Lone Star Q’s 2013 Person of the Year.

In September, Parker announced plans for an LGBT-inclusive citywide nondiscrimination ordinance. Then, after being re-elected to a third and final term in November, she extended benefits to the same-sex spouses of city employees who are legally married in other states — resulting in two lawsuits against the city. (While Parker became the first out LGBT person elected mayor of a top 10 U.S. city in 2009, until now it was also the only major city in Texas without citywide nondiscrimination and partner benefits.)

Finally, late last week, reports surfaced that Parker plans to marry her longtime partner, Kathy Hubbard, in January in California.

And that’s just the LGBT-related stuff.

In the midst of it all, Parker found time for an interview with Lone Star Q, during which she made headlines by calling Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty a “redneck wingnut” whose views are “completely irrelevant.” But on a far more relevant topic, she also confirmed that she intends to run for statewide office in 2018 — without saying which one. With 36 hours left in 2013, it leaves you to wonder how much more news Parker can make.

Read the interview with Mayor Parker at http://www.lonestarq.com/annise-parker-lone-star-qs-2013-person-year-shes-also-running-statewide-office-2018/ .

[font color=green]The statewide offices that will have elections in 2018 are the same as in 2014, but there will also be an election for the U. S. Senate seat currently held by Ted Cruz.[/font]

[Gman]

1. If all she has to her credit is LGBT issues

I wouldn't support her. Those aren't my core issues. There are a whole lot more important issues in the state. She so far seems to have a lukewarm record as mayor. Bill White was a much better mayor. He had a great record in Houston but he couldn't win statewide despite his wide appeal. She'd have a hard uphill climb to win in the primary, much less the GE.

[dlwickham]

2. human rights should take a back seat to everything huh

[Gman]

4. The inverse does not make a good elected official

It helps, though. A good record on human rights is like the minimum acceptable behavior.

[PDittie]

6. She's run the 4th largest city in the nation for six years

or it will be six, when she leaves office at the term-limited end, in 2015. Houston also has a $5 billion dollar budget. You can trust that she's got a good bit more to her credit than LGBTQ.

I also disagree about White. He left Parker a budget mess which she resolved without laying off any police and firemen, and without raising taxes. (I have been one of her strongest critics... and I can't believe I'm defending her here.)

You got the last part right, though.

[Paladin]

3. Glad to hear it. (nt)

[Gothmog]

5. This is great news

I really like Mayor Parker

[PDittie]

7. Read the article and you'll learn

that Congress is not where she will aim. If I had to bet today, I would guess state comptroller.

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. State Comptroller is my bet too

She is very intelligent. She was Houston's city controller for 6 years before she ran for mayor.