Gay municipal candidates file in Dallas, Fort Worth

Openly gay Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns filed for re-election to a third full two-year term this week. Meanwhile, a gay candidate in Dallas formally launched his bid to give Big D its first openly LGBT councilmember in six years, as candidate filing began in May 11 municipal elections. Herschel Weisfeld, a gay Dallas real estate developer, filed to run for the District 2 seat being vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano, an LGBT ally who is term limited. Medrano’s nephew, Adam Medrano, is expected to run in District 2 against Weisfeld but had not filed as of press time. Medrano resigned from his city job last month, a requirement to run for council. He could not be reached for comment. Burns, who was first elected in 2007 to complete the remainder of Wendy Davis’ term in District 9, is one of only three openly LGBT city council members in Texas, along with Michael Laster in Houston and Scott Sherman in Pearland. Burns will again enjoy the backing of the Washington, D.C.-based Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a PAC that backs LGBT candidates nationwide. Weisfeld said he’ll also seek the Victory Fund’s endorsement.