Race Trumps Sexual Orientation in Houston

Houston became the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor.

Annise Parker defeated former city attorney Gene Locke with 53.6 percent of the vote Saturday in a race that had a turnout of only 16.5 percent.

"This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that's what my administration will be about," Parker told supporters after Locke conceded defeat.

Parker, 53, openly campaigned with her gay partner, and it became the focus of the race after religious groups endorsed Locke and sent out mailers condemning Parker's "homosexual behavior."

Locke, also a liberal democrat, tried to distance himself from the anti-gay attacks while courting conservative voters who could tip the election in his favor. Meanwhile, gay and lesbian political organizations nationwide rallied to support Parker by sending money to her campaign and making calls urging people to vote.

Several other U.S. cities, including Portland, Ore., Providence, R.I., and Cambridge, Mass., have openly gay mayors, but they are more liberal than Houston and much smaller.

Late Saturday, Locke offered his congratulations to Parker and urged the city to move on from the bruising campaign fight.

Parker and Locke, both Democrats in the nonpartisan race, advanced to the runoff after garnering more votes than two other candidates on Nov. 3. Parker will succeed Bill White, who is term-limited after serving six years and is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

Houston is predominantly Democratic and about 25 percent black and 33% Hispanic. The Hispanic vote appears to have swung strongly against the black candidate. Only about 60,000 of Houston's residents identify themselves as gay or lesbian. See Chick's SIN CITY.