Heading into a run-off after garnering five percent fewer votes in the general election than his opponent, Houston mayoral hopeful Gene Locke made a calculation.  Locke, a Democrat running in a non-partisan race, sought and won the endorsement of Steven Hotze — a local conservative kingmaker known for his anti-gay rights activism. 

While it may have secured some conservative votes, the fallout in Houston’s left-leaning community has been dramatic (Locke’s opponent, fellow Democrat Annise Parker, is openly gay). At Large #1 candidate Stephen Costello, included in Hotze’s list of endorsements, felt compelled to release a statement saying, “I ...

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