An openly gay man is considered the
favorite to win an April 13 mayoral runoff in Gainesville, Florida,
the Gainesville Sun reported.
Craig
Lowe, a city commissioner, captured just over 40% of the vote in
a field of 5 candidates in last Tuesday's mayoral election. A 50%
majority is required to avert a runoff.
Lowe's nearest rival, Don Marsh,
received just over 29% of the vote.
Lowe remains the favorite despite his
campaign being the subject of an anti-gay attack. In two separate
fliers Lowe was attacked for supporting a city ordinance that bans
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity
(transgender protections) in the areas of employment, housing and
public accommodations.
After city leaders in 2008 approved
adding gender identity to an anti-discrimination measure that already
included sexual orientation, opponents campaigned to place an
initiative to repeal the law on the ballot. Voters in the college
town, however, disagreed and the law remained in place.
One flier alleges that Lowe is
“'responsible' for legally allowing men into women's restrooms!”
“If you believe that the women's
restroom is no place for a man then … Say no to Lowe for mayor of
Gainesville,” the flier says.
Lowe has said voters mostly ignored the
claims.