Locke, Lanier endorse Parker for a second term
Mayor Annise Parker on Wednesday scored the endorsements of her 2009 opponent Gene Locke and former Mayor Bob Lanier, two of Houston’s most prominent power brokers, as she prepares to ask voters for a second two-year term in November.
Locke and Parker, both Democrats, competed in the run-off election to succeed termed-limited Mayor Bill White 16 months ago. They differed little on the issues, but attacked each other in mailings and on the campaign trail. One mailer funded by $40,000 in donations from Locke’s finance chairman and another finance committee member asked voters to choose Locke because Parker is a lesbian. Parker criticized Locke’s history as a lawyer and a lobbyist.
“I don’t know whether an endorsement translates into votes. An endorsement makes a statement that we’ve moved beyond the last campaign and this is a new race, a new day,” Parker said Wednesday.
“She’s bringing the city together,” Locke said Wednesday. “There’s a tremendous fiscal crisis facing the city, and I think she’s addressing that head-on.”
Lanier was mayor from 1992 through 1997. As mayor he appointed Locke city attorney, and he supported Locke two years ago. Since leaving office Lanier has continued to play an influential role in local politics. Candidates regularly call him and make pilgrimages to his home in search of his support.
“Times are tough, but so is she,” Lanier said. He said his support was based more on what he considers her straightforwardness and character than on her public policy stances. He said he also thinks that having a lesbian mayor is good for the city because it projects an image of tolerance and diversity.
Parker has not yet drawn an opponent for the November election.
When asked whether her re-election race is over before it starts, Parker said, “I certainly hope so. But I only know one way to campaign and that is very, very hard, and I’m going to be aggressive. I have a nice war chest and I’m going to add to that war chest.”
Major challenge doubted
Parker has amassed more than $1 million in her campaign account, and a fund-raising event is scheduled at the Four Seasons downtown next week. Invitations to the event feature testimonials from beer distributor, philanthropist and GOP donor Bobbie Nau, Houston attorney Pablo Escamilla, Planned Parenthood executive Mini Timmaraju, Locke and Lanier.
The list of hosts and sponsors is “a ‘Who’s Who,’ ” said political consultant Keir Murray. “She’s locked up most of the big support financially. Where does a challenger go to get money?”
By this time two years ago, Parker, Locke, Roy Morales and Peter Brown all were engaged in full-blown campaigns for the open seat.
“Every day that passes now, it gets less and less likely that the mayor will get a serious challenge,” Murray said.
No help from budget cuts
Locke serves as special counsel to the board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, to which Parker nominates a majority of board members. He also is general counsel to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, to which Parker nominates six board members. His firm earned $17 million from those agencies and the Port of Houston from 2003 to 2009, according to figures that came out during the last mayor’s race.
Locke also recently registered as a lobbyist on behalf of CIGNA, which the Houston City Council approved Wednesday as the city’s new health insurance administrator in a 3-year deal worth nearly a billion dollars.
Having one of the city’s most recognized black leaders on her team comes as Parker faces several challenges courting support among the city’s African-American population. Parker has had to manage the fallout of an apparent beating of a black teenager by city police that was caught on tape. Although she has compromised on the issue, she continues to publicly proclaim her support for making churches subject to the city’s new drainage fee despite the opposition of black ministers, as well as a broad coalition of other religious leaders, school officials and nonprofit organizations.
Councilwoman Wanda Adams also recently questioned Parker about her treatment of black employees after the administration dismissed an African-American woman who led the 311 system.
Parker is likely to face more controversy as she seeks $130 million in spending cuts and savings to balance next fiscal year’s budget, which could cost more than 2,300 city worker their jobs.