Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 31, 2007
LEPPERT SUPPORTERS DENOUNCE OAKLEY FOR BRINGING PARTY POLITICS INTO MAYOR’S RACE
Bi-partisan group says Dallas Mayor should unite and heal, not divide
DALLAS – Supporters of Tom Leppert denounced Ed Oakley and the Dallas County Democratic Party for bringing divisive party politics into the
historically non-partisan Dallas Mayor’s race. The announcement was made today before a diverse group of Leppert supporters who gathered at the Tom Leppert Campaign
Headquarters.
“Why is our opponent, Ed Oakley, choosing to divide Dallas when we’re on the brink of tremendous opportunity and growth,” said Adelfa Callejo. “Is that the
only way Ed knows how to win – by driving apart our citizens, talking about North and South; black, white and brown; Democrat and Republican?”
According to a Dallas Morning News story that ran May 26, “The resolution backing Mr. Oakley was adopted by the party's executive committee at the urging of
Shannon Bailey, a local precinct chairman and president of the Texas Stonewall Democrats, the state's largest gay and lesbian political group.”
The Dallas County Democratic Party did not interview either Oakley or Leppert before making its decision to endorse Oakley.
Prominent local Democrats, such as Jess Hay, a former Democratic National Committee Finance Chairman, also expressed concerns over the move.
“The beauty of the Dallas Mayor’s race is that it brings people representing a variety of political persuasions and backgrounds together on the same team,
working to get the best person elected to lead our city,” said Hay. “The Dallas Mayor’s race historically has been devoid of partisan politics, and that’s the way it
needs to stay. It’s what is best for Dallas.”
The Rev. Frederick Haynes, III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, believes Dallas needs a mayor who will unite and heal the divisions facing
Dallas, not divide them further.
“We need a Mayor who will bring us together, not tear us apart,” said Dr. Haynes. “We need a Mayor who doesn’t look at people and label them by race, gender
or religion; party affiliation; sexual orientation; or by what part of town they live in. We need a Mayor who will work toward common goals that benefit all our
citizens.”
Dr. Haynes closed the news conference with a call-to-action asking Leppert’s supporters to “wake-up fellow voters and helpthem understand the importance of
putting the right PERSON, not party into office.”
“We must say ‘NO’ to a divided city by saying ‘NO’ to Ed Oakley,” said Haynes. “We must make the right decision for all ofDallas … not just for one political
party, or one group of people. We must elect Tom Leppert Mayor … a decision that impacts not only the next four years but the future of our great city.”
Today’s gathering drew citizens representing different political parties, various neighborhoods, numerous cultures, and an array of passions and professions.
Among those attending included Roger Staubach; community activist Sharon Boyd; Hiawatha Williams, owner of Williams Chicken; Linda and Mitch Hart, Finance Co-Chairs
of the Leppert campaign; Dr. Jiahuan Ding, M.D., Ph.D., president of the D/FW Asian-American Citizens Council; Hector Flores, former president of the national LULAC
organization; Dallas business executive, John Scovell, Leonard Burhow, East Dallas community leader; Leslie Densmore, Democrat and White Rock Lake community leader;
Frank Bracken, board member of Save Open Space; Bobby de la Cruz ofthe Service Employees International Union; Reverend Rickie Rush, senior pastor of Inspiring Body
of Christ Church; Dallas City Councilmember-elect Dwayne Caraway; entrepreneur Katrina Keyes; community leaders Diana Flores and Rene Martinez; Dr. Jim Rodriguez,
immediate past president of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Gerald Alley, Con-Real Construction; Marvin Gooch, president of the Black Contractors
Association; Ron Pleasant of Lawrence Engineering; Marcus Shropshire of Merrill Lynch Realty; Michael Sorrell, interim president of Paul Quinn College; Vince Fudzie
of Triune Construction; Linda Simmons of the Black Baptist Convention; and Eva Minor, South Dallas Homeowners Association.
About Tom Leppert
Leppert has been endorsed by The Real Estate Council, Latino Peace Officers Association and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association. His campaign for Dallas Mayor is led by Roger
Staubach and Elaine Agather as Campaign Co-chairs, and Albert C. Black as Treasurer. Linda W. Hart and Milledge A. Hart, III, are Co-Chairs of the 116-member Finance Committee.
Tom Leppert recently served as Chairman & CEO of Turner Construction Company, the nation’s largest commercial builder, where he oversaw $8 billion in revenues, directed 6,000 employees, and led
the company to record growth. Under his direction, the company led the nation in 2005 awarding more than $1 billion in contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses – a first for the construction
industry. Leppert also has received numerous national awards as a pioneer in his industry for constructing “green,” environmentally friendly buildings.
Among his many civic contributions, Leppert is a former chair of the Greater Dallas Chamber and a board member of Baylor Health Care System, the Dallas Zoological Society, the Circle Ten Council of
the Boy Scouts of America, and the West Dallas Initiative, a private school and outreach program in that community.
Becky Mayad
work: 214-352-1881
cell: 214-697-7745
fax: 214-352-6894
bmayad@sbcglobal.net