Todd holds slim lead in bid to become 1st openly gay legislator (Alabama)

[Syrinx]

Patricia Todd led community activist Gaynell Hendricks by a scant 59 votes in the House District 54 runoff race in Birmingham Tuesday as Todd attempted to become the first openly gay or lesbian legislator in Alabama.

With 100 percent of boxes reporting Tuesday, the unofficial count showed Todd had 1,173 votes, or 51 percent, to Hendricks' 1,114, or 49 percent. Hendricks had held a large lead earlier in the evening and appeared to be heading to victory, but Todd moved narrowly into the lead as late votes were counted.

The final outcome of the race may not be certain until election officials count provisional ballots on Wednesday.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund sent out a news release late Tuesday claiming victory for Todd, but Hendricks was not conceding the race. Her husband, Elias Hendricks, said the final vote totals conflicted with other vote totals and that they are not ready to give up the race.

There is no Republican candidate in the race, which means Todd, if her lead holds up, will likely be elected to the House seat, replacing veteran Rep. George Perdue, D-Birmingham, who is retiring.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060719/APN/607190513&cachetime=5

[cboy4]

1. GOOD FOR HER.....regardless of whether Diebold transforms the results

into a crooked outcome.

That's pretty good for Alabama!!!

[Erika]

2. Even Alabama is starting to shake off the tyranny of the far right

Yes!!!

[cboy4]

3. Hi Erika! That's cool, ha?

:hi:

[Erika]

4. Idaho has its first gay legislator

Why not Alabama?

[Syrinx]

8. Erika, this is meant as a positive thread.

If results hold, we DO have our first gay representative.

And you know the answer, I'm sure, to your question.

The Southern Baptist Convention has entirely too much influence in Alabama politics.

[Syrinx]

5. she seems like a great person

Assuming she makes it to Montgomery, I'm looking forward to seeing what she's able to accomplish down there.

[Janice325]

6. That is so great!!

I hope she wins!!!
Who wouldha thunk in Alabama???
WOW!:wow: :woohoo:

[Syrinx]

7. yes it is!

District 54 is a very diverse district, as I think the article says further down, including some of the richest AND poorest neighborhoods in the state.

It's really cool that a lesbian could win. But beyond that, from everything I've heard and read and seen about Patricia Todd, she is one cool woman. She really seems to care about people.

She is my hero, and I'll be crushed if I find out tomorrow (later today) that she lost.

[Janice325]

9. I hope this is still true!!!

From U.S. Newswire:

To: National Desk

Contact: Denis Dison of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, 202-842-7308 or [e-mail]

WASHINGTON, July 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Patricia Todd made history Tuesday when voters in Alabama's 54th legislative district voted to send the Democrat to the State House, marking the first time ever that legislature will include an openly gay Representative. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation's largest gay and lesbian political action committee, endorsed Todd and helped raise tens of thousands of dollars from its national network of donors to help fund her campaign. Todd has no Republican opponent in the general election in November.
Here's the link:

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=69424
:woohoo: You go, Alabama. Congrats!!!!

[snooper2]

10. what are the differences in the campaign/positions?

since they are both Dems? I hope being Gay or Straight goes away as an issue someday, so maybe finally we can get some athiests and agnostics in office, the final group with no representation. Currently anybody/everybody has to hold the fucking bible up to be a member of any legislature.

[Syrinx]

11. well, that's the sad part...

Gaynell Hendricks used an automated phone bank to send out her "family values" schtick. That was obviously an attempt to benefit from anti-gay bias. But it didn't work this time. :)

I can't seem to find a website for Hendricks. But here's Ms. Todd's: http://electpatriciatodd.com/ .

Hendricks' platform seemed, especially in the final days of the campaign, to be mostly "Vote for me, not that honky dyke." Not very constructive, to say the least.