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August 23, 2006

Some Democrats intent on blocking lesbian candidate's election

Some Democrats intent on blocking lesbian candidate's election

More than a month after Patricia Todd's historic primary victory that has her set to become Alabama's first openly gay legislator, her election has still not been certified—and her supporters are asking the state's Democratic Party to stop dragging its feet on the matter. Todd's 59-vote victory over opponent Gaynell Hendricks in the July 18 contest was challenged by Hendricks's mother-in-law, even though election officials reported no voting irregularities and held a recount that confirmed Todd had won, and now local Democratic officials are apparently meddling with the panel that will hear the challenge.

"Democracy means nothing if backroom deals can change the outcome of a fair election," Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which backed Todd, said in a statement. "The people have spoken, but party power brokers are insisting on having the last word. That's un-American."

Wolfe added, "The Alabama Democratic Party shows little inclination to conduct a fair hearing based on the merits of the challenge, and we have lost faith in that process. It's unthinkable that in 2006 some politically powerful insiders still consider themselves untethered to democratic principles and superior to the electorate. If the party has no intention of protecting the rights of voters, then we intend to ask the courts to step in to do so."

Party bosses reportedly prefer Hendricks and are unhappy that Todd, who faces no opponent in November's general election, won. (The Advocate)

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