Dallas Could Become First Major City with Openly Gay Mayor

Dallas, a town more liberal and gay than its macho reputation would suggest, could become the first major American city with an out gay mayor if Ed Oakley, an openly gay Democrat, wins a runoff election on June 16. He will face Republican Tom Leppert, who finished first ahead of him in the initial May 12 election between 11 candidates. The top two candidates are now scheduled for the runoff.

A resident of Dallas for the past 25 years, Oakley has served on its City Council since 2001. His previous work includes six years on the City Planning Commission, and two years on a zoning committee.

Oakley, who has made crime reduction a centerpiece of his campaign, recently garnered the important endorsement of the Dallas Police Association. He also has the endorsement of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, the national LGBT political action committee working to increase the number of openly LGBT
elected officials across the country.