The Houston Chronicle gave a preliminary nod to out lesbian mayoral candidate Annise Parker over the weekend, endorsing her and her anticipated opponent in an expected runoff election.

Parker, who currently serves as controller of Houston, has the support of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in her bid to become the mayor of the fourth-largest city in the United States. She faces a four-way race that is expected to result in a runoff between the two top vote getters on November 3.

“Houstonians are fortunate to face a difficult choice for mayor this year between two exceptional candidates, public law attorney Gene Locke and City Controller Annise Parker,” wrote the Houston Chronicle editorial board, according to the Victory Fund's blog, GayPolitics.com. 

“The Chronicle is withholding its final endorsement in the race until the runoff,” the Houston Chronicle continued. “We have made this unusual decision because the candidates are so evenly matched, and we want to hear more details about their ideas for managing the city before recommending the person who could well control the helm of City Hall for the next six years."