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The Gregg County Stonewall Democrats met tonight and elected interim officers. Patrick Franklin, candidate for Texas House District 7, was elected President and Richard Davis was elected Vice President.

Also speaking at the meeting were the two Democratic Congressional candidates from District 1. The winner of the primary will be facing Louie Gohmert.

Congressional forum kicks off new Democratic group

By JIMMY ISAAC

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

An open forum featuring two congressional candidates capped an historic night for Stonewall Democrats, who officially began a Gregg County chapter Monday night.

Stonewall Democrats are activists within the Democratic Party who push for gay and lesbian rights. Gregg County's meeting was scheduled in January, but attendance fell short of the required five members to become a chapter. Monday's attendance was more than a dozen.

Patrick Franklin was elected president of the new chapter despite his absence — he couldn't get time off from work, according to an official at the event. Franklin, who is the lone Democrat in the race for District 7 state representative, has said that he's the first openly gay candidate in East Texas.

Stonewall Democrats hosted two U.S. Congressional District 1 Democratic hopefuls — Hallsville business owner Roger Owen and Lufkin attorney Duane Shaw.

Owen, however, told the Longview News-Journal in an earlier phone conversation that gay rights issues and Franklin's campaign could pose risks for other area Democrats.

"This is East Texas. (Franklin is) hurting the party," Owen said. "I feel for the gays, but this is East Texas. It's not New York. It's not Fort Lauderdale."

Owen also said in an interview that it's not his job to psycho-analyze them, adding that whoever wins the state District 7 Republican nomination between Tommy Merritt and Mark Williams is "going to spank (Franklin) dearly with that issue" (of gay rights) during the November general election.

Shaw steered from gay rights issues in his address to Stonewall members, discussing instead topics such as veterans' benefits, economic development and education. He also voiced his support for a flat tax, along with a $40,000 base salary for teachers.

"As society changes, parties need to change. There's something that needs to change, and I may not be able to do it in one or two terms, but I'm sure I can do it in three or four," said Shaw.

"No matter if you vote for me, if you vote for Roger or if you vote for any other Democrat, get the word out on the street, folks. What (Republicans are) doing up there on Capitol Hill, it ain't fair. There ain't enough of us. They're getting their way."

Owen also spoke about economic matters, saying taxpayers' first $20,000 of their salary should be tax free.

"Anybody making on $20,000 a year or less, they're going to spend that money locally. Why should we sent that money to Washington?" Owen asked.

Victor Scherb, a UT Tyler English professor and the Smith County Democratic Party's grassroots coordinator, found the open forum to be "an interesting opportunity to speak about reform issues."

"I think reform is a very good idea right now. So, I think whoever ends up with the nomination, I'll support them," said Scherb.

Owen and Shaw will battle in the Democratic primary March 7.

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