Two former Dallas councilmen may challenge Dallas County Judge Jim Foster

by John Wright of Dallas Voice

Ed Oakley isn't the only openly gay former Dallas city councilman who's looking to get back into politics.

Both John Loza and Chris Luna, two openly gay Dallas attorneys who joined the council prior to Oakley, said this week they’re considering running for county judge in 2010.

Loza, 44, and Luna, 47, are among at least five Democrats who’ve indicated they may challenge County Judge Jim Foster in the party’s 2010 primary.

Foster, who’s also openly gay, has endured widespread criticism of his job performance since taking office last year. Foster was a relative unknown when he pulled off a surprise upset of Republican incumbent Margaret Keliher as part of the countywide Democratic sweep of 2006.

Foster was unavailable for comment this week, and his executive assistant, Steve Griggs, declined to say whether the judge plans to seek re-election.

“We’re not focused on that,” Griggs said. “We’re still focused on the work we’ve got to do down here. … A lot of people, I’m sure, would like to hold the position. The judge is focusing on following through with his campaign promises.”

In addition to Loza and Luna, former Dallas City Councilman Larry Duncan, former state Rep. Sam Coats and family law attorney Grier Raggio, all Democrats, have said they may go after Foster’s job in 2010.

Loza and Luna declined to comment directly on Foster’s performance.

“I wouldn’t be in that race to bash Jim,” said Loza, a criminal defense attorney who served on the City Council from 1997 until 2005. “I just think there are a lot of different directions that county government can take, and I’d like to point us in those directions.”

Luna, who practices commercial law and served on the council from 1991 until 1997, speculated that Foster will opt not to seek re-election.

“I think he would have a chance of winning. I just don’t think he’s having a good time or enjoying himself, or that it’s what he thought it was going to be,” Luna said.

Pat Cotton, a longtime Dallas political consultant, said she believes public opinion of Foster is “very poor.”

“I think Foster’s very vulnerable, not because he’s not a nice guy, but he’s just not up to that job,” Cotton said. “I don’t think he ever intended to take it, and he’s tried very hard to do the best that he can, but there are some things that you just aren’t cut out for.”

Both Loza and Luna said they’d enjoy the opportunity to lead a Democratic majority on the Commissioners Court, which long has been dominated by the GOP.

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia, a Democrat, has expressed interest in challenging Republican Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield in 2010.

If Democrats can beat Mayfield and hold on to the county judge position, they’ll occupy three of the five seats on the court.

A victory for Loza, Luna or Garcia would also give the court a Hispanic member.

Loza and Luna said a Democratic majority would allow the county to address a range of issues, from air quality to health care and gay rights. Currently, Dallas County has no policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in its workforce, and doesn’t offer health benefits to the domestic partners of its employees.

If both Loza and Luna decide to run for county judge, it would renew the rivalry that began when they faced off for a seat on the City Council in 1995.

That race, which Luna won, was nasty at times, with both candidates accusing the other’s campaign of “voting irregularities,” according to reports in The Dallas Morning News.

After Loza announced plans to run against Luna again in 1997, Luna called Loza “a whining loser,” The Morning News reported.

Luna ultimately decided not to run again, but he endorsed Loza’s opponent.

“John and I have had a very friendly and cordial relationship since that race,” Luna said. “I think to sell it as unfriendly or enemies is probably a slight exaggeration.”

Loza said he wouldn’t view it as a rematch because he doesn’t think Luna would be one of the frontrunning candidates for county judge.

“That’s all past history now,” Loza said. “I don’t think there was anything personal. Politics in Dallas can sometimes be a contact sport.”

Patti Fink, president of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance, called the prospect of Loza and Luna returning to politics “exciting.”

Oakley, who nearly became the first openly gay mayor to represent a top 10 U.S. city in 2007, is expected to run for his old City Council seat in 2009.

“When talented, openly GLBT elected officials want to get back in and serve, that’s always a good thing,” Fink said.

“I think it’s such a great opportunity to really educate not only voters but also colleagues that you work with in those roles. When you have an opportunity to really get to know and work with someone who’s openly GLBT, it makes a big difference.”