Posted on 05/09/2009 11:45:28 PM PDT by anymouse
Saturday, for the first time in the history of Galveston County, an African-American woman was elected mayor.
Geraldine Sam, 57, a lifelong resident of La Marque and an educator, edged two challengers to take her place in history by the narrowest of margins.
I cannot even describe how I feel, Sam said, while celebrating with family and friends at a restaurant. I was trying to eat earlier, and I cant even eat. Its amazing. Just awesome.
Sam received 355 votes, outlasting challengers James Osteen, 316 votes, and Bill Charbonneau, 289 votes, according to complete, unofficial results.
Sam, who will serve a three-year term, didnt receive a majority of votes in the three-way race, but in La Marque there will be no run off. By the citys charter, the candidate with the most votes is elected.
Osteen congratulated Sam on her historic victory.
I appreciate the fact that everybody ran a clean race, not like some other cities, Osteen said.
I wish her the best. She cares about this city like the rest of us. I think shell do a good job.
A message left for Charbonneau wasnt returned.
Sam, who has taught school for 24 years and instructs first-grade students at Sims Elementary School, said she wouldnt be retiring and has the blessing of school Superintendent Ecomet Burley.
He congratulated me, and the school board congratulated me, Sam said.
I have the blessing of the superintendent that if there are any meetings, Ill be able to attend. And then Im off during summertime. Thats not going to be a problem at all.
Beverly Mitchell, one of Sams campaign managers, spent Saturday evening savoring the moment.
We had (President Barack) Obama, and now we have Sam, Mitchell said. Geraldine is a visionary. She has been a fighter for our community for many years.
Sam said her first order of business would be seeking community input about crime reduction, affordable housing and economic development.
First Ill have to take a nap, then at Mondays city council meeting, were going to start there, working with the citizens, listening to them more, Sam said. They know more what the city needs.
Leon Evans Sr. became the countys first African-American mayor in Hitchcock in the late 1990s.
(Geraldine is shown in red on the left.)
Galveston County Republican victory ping.
> Beverly Mitchell, one of Sams campaign managers, spent Saturday evening savoring the moment.
We had (President Barack) Obama, and now we have Sam, Mitchell said.<
Well good for Mrs. Sam. Congrats. Now IMHO, no level-headed/sane Republican would use a Dem president as a yardstick for winning. Unless...
For those of us outside Galveston County and outside this state, is she a Republican? Or another RINO?
Not meaning to be critical, but as we have seen, many claim to be Republican and are more liberal than anything else.
Regardless, congratulations on winning the election.
The fact that she even use the phrase “affordable housing” is cause for concern.
If you want to see Professor Thomas Sowell spit nails, just use that phrase around him...
What’s her Reverends’ name?
Sorry, the word Republican just doesn’t finish the deal for me anymore.... I need much much more.
Powell is black, Powell claims to be a Republican.... about 4 years ago, Powell could have won in a Republican race.
After Obama, the test has become far more difficult for any black candidate.
Good for her, it is however disconcerting that BHO’s name was invoked. Does it mean we must keep an eye upon her?
Methinks we should keep an eye on everybody.
Prediction: Rhino
Not based upon race or gender, but strictly upon her claim of “affordable housing”.
We’ll see.
She says she wants to hear from the “community” about it. What does that “community” tend to think? Do they want special low priced areas?
As long as someone else is paying for it, they will go first class all the way.
That was not part of the Change we were Hoping for...
La Marque was a little train stop that became a suburb of Galveston in the 50s. Nice homes, good local school.
And, no, “affordable housing” was why they didn’t want to live in Galveston.
Oh, well, time to move the suburbs out a bit further...
I lived in LaMarque as a little girl in the 50s..my father was one of the few Rs around back then....very few...
I recall only meeting her one time, and that was a while back...I do not know that much about her...
GB, you’ve been awfully quiet...But I know why you are busy this morning...;-)
City elections in Texas are theoretically non-partisan. I’m sure Geraldine Sam recruited both Republican and Democrat campaign workers, especially given the demographics of La Marque being skewed towards lower income blacks, who usually vote Democrat. Not surprising that they identify with Obama.
Not everyone lives in bright red Republican country. Considering the high percentage of Democrats in La Marque, Geraldine’s victory is a miracle*.
* Geraldine has been a long time Republican precinct chair, election judge covering at least 4 precincts, and a delegate to the county, Texas state and the national Republican conventions.
She has ensured the Galveston County Republican Party’a involvement in the local Junteenth celebrations for decades. This being significant, because it was in Galveston where word came to Texas slaves of their emancipation by President Lincoln, thus the reason for the Junteenth celebration.
She might not be Republican enough for some, but she has been the face of the Republican party in a very blue part of Texas for a long time. I cut her a lot of slack for towing every plank in the GOP platform, though she is very solid on the important ones.
Note carefully that you're quoting one of her campaign workers here, not Miz Sams herself.
Makes a big difference; a mayoral candidate can easily have Dimocrat friends, neighbors, and campaign workers without being a Dim herself.
Gee — a new variant on “Name That Party.”
If it’s bad news you know it’s a Democrat when they leave the party name off.
If it’s good news you know it’s a Republican if they leave the party name off.
She is a conservative as far as I know, it’s because of her the affirmative action plank failed to make it into the Texas Republican party platform...although I don’t think she did that on purpose. Maybe shoulda learned Roberts Rules instead of clicking that mop back Ms. Sam.
GIVING HONOR TO CONDOLEEZMA RICE!!! ROFLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
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