2008 Democratic Primary Endorsements
The Houston Stonewall Young Democrats are proud to endorse in four races for the Texas House of Representatives. After screening candidates over the past weeks, the members voted overwhelmingly Monday to send three incumbents back to Austin and fill an open seat with an LGBT-friendly Democrat. The endorsements are as follows:
Carol Alvarado for House District 145
As a Houston City Council Member, Carol Alvarado always maintained an open-door policy with the substantial LGBT population in her district, and we’re confident she’ll keep it up in Austin. Council Member Alvarado said she would fight against the discriminatory policies proposed by Republicans in the past and likely to come up again in future sessions. She is running to replace Rep. Rick Noriega, who is running for U.S. Senate.
Rep. Borris Miles for House District 146
HSYD endorses re-electing Rep. Borris Miles. In his short time in office, Rep. Miles has already accomplished much, including impressive work toward HIV prevention. Rep. Miles has vowed to fight discrimination of all sorts, including discrimination against the LGBT community. His opponent was an advocate for discrimination while in the legislature and even voted for legislation to tear our families apart.
Rep. Garnet Coleman for House District 147
HSYD endorses re-electing Rep. Garnet Coleman. Rep. Coleman has consistently been a strong advocate for the LGBT community during his tenure in the House of Representatives, not only voting for the rights of the community, but also authoring legislation to protect and advance the rights we do or should have. We endorse Rep. Coleman confident that he will continue to be a leader in the House for fair-mindedness.
Rep. Jessica Farrar for House District 148
HSYD endorses re-electing Rep. Jessica Farrar. Rep. Farrar has a proven record of advocating on behalf of the LGBT community throughout her years of experience in the House. Rep. Farrar’s work includes founding the Women’s Health Caucus, where legislators examined the often-overlooked health issues lesbian women face. This is just one example of the thoughtfulness and insight Rep. Farrar has shown throughout her tenure in the House of Representatives. We are confident she will continue to be a strong advocate for her district and for the LGBT community as a whole.
2007 Candidate Endorsements
The Houston Stonewall Young Democrats held the 1st ever Endorsement Meeting on Monday, August 13th at the Stag's Head Pub. Thanks to the HSYD Screening Committee and all the candidates that participated in our candidate endorsement process.
We are pleased to announce our slate of endorsed candidates for 2007:
City Controller
Annise Parker
City Council At-Large 2
Sue Lovell
City Council At-Large 3
Melissa Noriega
City Council At-Large 5
Jolanda Jones
City Council District D
Wanda Adams
City Council District I
James Rodriguez
Judicial Candidate Adoption
The Houston Stonewall Young Democrats have decided to "Adopt a Judge" and help this candidate collect enough signatures in order to secure a place in the 2008 Democratic Party Primary Ballot. This does not specifically imply that we have decided to endorse the candidate in such election.
The candidate we have chosen to adopt is Judge Steven E. Kirkland who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 215th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas.
A word from Judge Steven Kirkland:
I am Judge Steven Kirkland and I want your vote. I am seeking the Democratic nomination for the 215th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas. This will be a new position for me. For the last six years, I have served you as Judge in the Municipal Courts of the City of Houston. Now, I want to take that experience and put it to work for you in the Civil District Courthouse.
The Courthouse must be open to all the people. Once in the Courthouse, all parties should feel they have fair and equal chance to be heard. The judge is the one person to whom everyone looks to make sure these simple but difficult principals are upheld. I understand this and I live this principal every day.
I believe in the American jury system. The jury brings the wisdom, common sense and common values of our community to a case. I am committed to giving our citizens their day in Court and I will work hard to make that possible. In the last two years, I have presided over more than 500 Jury trials.
I believe in the American jury system. The jury brings the wisdom, common sense and common values of our community to a case. I am committed to giving our citizens their day in Court and I will work hard to make that possible. In the last two years, I have presided over more than 500 Jury trials.
I am an advocate for human rights, including participating in the election campaign of Annise Parker, Houston’s first openly gay or lesbian officeholder as Campaign Chair and Treasurer, serving on the board of Stonewall Lawyers (formerly Bar Association of Houston Rights), serving as Secretary and Councilmember for the State Bar of Texas Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues and numerous Houston based political campaigns.