Jennifer Gale
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| Jennifer Gale | |
 Jennifer Gale at the University of Texas in 2006
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| Born | 1960 |
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| Occupation | None |
| Known for | Running for Office |
Jennifer Gale is a transgender perennial political candidate in Texas. Gale claims to be a native of Wisconsin, a United States Marine Corps veteran, and typically identifies as a Democrat. Gale has gained fame in her adopted hometown of Austin, Texas for repeatedly running or attempting to run for multiple offices including governor, Congress, mayor, city council, and the school board. Gale identifies as a woman and often attends municipal hearings, forums, and meetings in Austin where she is known for presenting her arguments in song.
Gale is one of a number of well known Austin eccentrics which include homeless cross-dresser Leslie Cochran, who also has run for municipal office in Austin, Texas. Gale has also had numerous dealings with law enforcement for trespassing violations and is no longer allowed inside the University of Texas student union[citation needed].
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[edit] Political history
In 2004, Gale shocked the Austin political establishment by earning 38.68% of the vote against incumbent board president Doyle Valdez for the At-Large Position 8 seat of the Austin Independent School District, garnering the highest percent share to date in her electoral bids[1].
In recent elections, she received 9.3% of the vote in 2005 for Austin City Council Place 4[2], 6.7% of the vote in 2006 for Austin Mayor[3], and 0.7% of the vote in 2007 for Dallas Mayor[4]. In her most recent election, Gale placed fourth among six candidates for the 2008 Austin City Council Place 4 election, earning 1,951 votes or 5.8% of the total cast[5].
Gale is now campaigning as an independent against Republican congressman Lamar Smith in the 2008 November general election for Texas congressional district 21[6].
[edit] Political platform and views
Gale claims that if elected to the Austin City Council she would get a National Football League team to move to Austin.[7]
Some Austinites view Gale as the personification of the famous "Keep Austin Weird" campaign. Gale has embraced that slogan and has run for office with the slogan of "Keep Austin, Austin," which she modified for her 2007 run for mayor of Dallas using the slogan "Keep Dallas, Dallas."
In 2004, Gale was challenged by Leslie Cochran (a homeless transgendered individual and a fellow mayoral candidate) to a debate at the University of Texas student union on the topic of who would best represent the homeless. Gale declined to participate unless given $50 worth of food from the Wendy's restaurant inside the union. "Dunlavy", the event organizer, declined.[citation needed]
[edit] Media attention
- Austin American-Statesman: "Gale not allowed to speak at candidate forum."
- Austin Chronicle: 2008 City Council Candidate Preview
- Austin Chronicle: "(Jennifer) Gale Force"
- Burnt Orange Report: "Gale Gets No Satisfaction"
- Daily Texan: "Plenty of Free Time? Run for Governor."
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Mike Clark-Madison (2004-05-28). Austin @ Large: (Jennifer) Gale Force. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ May 7, 2005 Joint General and Special Election Results. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ May 13, 2006 Joint General and Special Election Results. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ May 12, 2007 Dallas County Joint Election Results. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ May 10, 2008 Joint General and Special Elections. Retrieved on 2008-05-12.
- ^ Candidates who have filed a Declaration of Intent to run as Independent, Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Kimberly Reeves (2008-04-25). That Girl Can Sing. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
