We've written several posts about the Houston mayor's race, which pits openly gay Annise Parker, the city controller, against lobbyist Gene Locke. Supporters of Locke's campaign have teamed up with some of the most notorious homophobes in Texas to attack Parker over her sexual orientation. But, in the latest poll, Parker has taken a clear lead:
Parker leads former city attorney Gene Locke 49 percent to 36 percent, according to a poll released Thursday by Rice University in Houston.The problem that Locke has trying to distance himself from the attacks is that two of Locke's top supporters funded an anti-gay political action committee that has been attacking Parker. That revelation, which was first reported earlier this week, has gotten widespread attention -- and may be working against Locke according to the pollster:
Parker has never made her sexual orientation a secret or a focal point during her six years on the City Council and the last six years as controller.
But it took a more prominent role in the mayor's race in the weeks leading up to the runoff as anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups have endorsed Locke and sent out mailers condemning Parker's "homosexual behavior."
Locke has been trying to distance himself from anti-gay attacks while courting conservative voters who could tip the race in his favor.
Rice political science professor Robert Stein, who oversaw the poll, said the attention on Parker's sexual orientation has probably hurt Locke more than her.The election is tomorrow. This poll is encouraging, but what matters is what happens when people get into the voting booth. Annise's campaign is in GOTV mode and pulling out all the stops to win.
"It denied Locke an opportunity to win over traditional white liberal Democrats," Stein said.
