Valdez gearing up for re-election bid

[bluepride]

Valdez gearing up for re-election bid

Seven years ago, she became the first female, first Hispanic and — of course — the first openly LGBT person elected sheriff of Dallas County.

She remains the only lesbian Latina sheriff in the nation, and she’s one of only two female sheriffs in the state.

But as she prepares to seek a third four-year term in 2012, Lupe Valdez said she no longer gives much thought to her pioneering status.

“I don’t even pay attention to that anymore,” the 64-year-old Valdez said recently. “What I want to hear is, ‘She’s a good sheriff.’ What I want to hear is, ‘She’s making a difference.’ What I want to hear is, ‘Changes are for the better.’ That’s what I want to hear. It doesn’t matter whether I’m Latina or lesbian or whatever I am. The important thing is that we put in place a good, functioning sheriff’s department, which is what we’ve done.”

In 2004, Valdez was one of four Democrats — along with three judges — who broke a Republican lock on countywide elected office. Her victory over Republican Danny Chandler shook the Dallas establishment and served as a harbinger to the countywide Democratic sweep of 2006.

Since then, the county has remained solidly blue, and with President Barack Obama again atop the ballot, the incumbent sheriff is a heavy favorite to win re-election.

But Valdez, long a preferred target for Republicans as they seek to win back the county, said she isn’t taking anything for granted. For one, there are rumors she could again face a challenge in the Democratic Primary — as she did in 2008.

The candidate filing period begins Nov. 28 and runs through Dec. 15.

Read article: Valdez gearing up for re-election bid

[blu06]

Sheriff Valdez spoke at one of our colleges for gay pride week a couple of weeks ago. She impressed me as a law enforcement person first and last. The fact she is lesbian doesn't seem to be much of a factor on how she does her job. Which we all agree is how it should be.

She is seeking a third term, so she's right when she intentionally focuses on the job performance and the outcomes of her administration. I wish her well in her bid. I also know though, she will forever be one of our pioneers that broke a barrier.

Mac.

[bluepride]

Sheriff Taking Primary Challenge Seriously, Will Also Face Republican

Despite running as a two-term incumbent, lesbian Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez said she’s not taking anything for granted in the fast-approaching May 29 primary.

Valdez, 64, is up against Democratic challenger Charlie Thomas, 23. Thomas works as a security guard and as a valet. Two Republicans are also vying for the position, so if Valdez wins the primary, she’ll have a general election opponent.

“I take it seriously,” she said about the primary. “Any person contesting is a viable opponent.”

Thomas is a certified peace officer and said that while he hasn’t worked for a police department, he worked for UT Southwestern Medical Center as a police officer.

Thomas said he’s also working on his lawn service business and doesn’t have a campaign website but is still focused on his run for sheriff. He wants to increase the number of deputies in unincorporated areas of the county, as well as improve the healthcare system for inmates and use the position to influence job creation among veterans and other underrepresented groups, he said.

Tracy Clinton, political chair for Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, said Thomas is “not a viable candidate” and didn’t receive any votes when he interviewed for Stonewall’s endorsement.

Clinton called Thomas running for sheriff “a bold step for someone who doesn’t have much of a background in elected office,” adding that he isn’t sure why Thomas is running for the position.

“I hope people pay attention to the sheriff’s race just because the sheriff is such a central element of law enforcement in Dallas County and has grown even more so,” Clinton said.

Valdez, Dallas County’s first female, first Hispanic and first lesbian sheriff, said she takes every election seriously, and while some have called Thomas a joke, “he’s not a joke to me.”

Valdez said the primary and general election are “both as serious” because of Republicans wanting to win back countywide offices.

Valdez’s sexual orientation was targeted during her initial campaign in 2004 and her re-election bid in 2008, but she said she doesn’t think it will be an issue this year because of her accomplishments.

“Now it’s kind of ignored,” she said. “If they’re against the fact that I am a lesbian, they always look at the fact of what’s being done.”


Read article: Sheriff Taking Primary Challenge Seriously, Will also Face Republican

[bluepride]

Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez sworn in to 3rd term

Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez was among county elected officials who were sworn in this morning at the Hyatt Regency downtown during a New Year’s Day brunch hosted by the Democratic Party. Valdez, who became Dallas County’s first female, first Hispanic and first lesbian sheriff in 2005, is beginning her third four-year term after defeating Republican Kirk Launius in November.

Read article: Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez sworn in to 3rd term