Houston GLBT Political Caucus Elects Freeman President January 6, 2011

Noel Freeman, a former candidate for Houston City Council, was recently elected to serve as President of the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Political Caucus.

In addition to leading the group, Freeman now becomes the go-to-person for members of the media who are looking for reaction on issues like the recent repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy  and other important causes for his community.

According to a news release, The Houston G LBT Political Caucus is the South’s Oldest Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Civil Rights Organization. Founded in 1975, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is dedicated to eliminating prejudice, violence, and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people through education, activism, and political advocacy.

Freeman had previously served as Caucus vice president and was unopposed in the election.

He replaces Kris Banks, former president of the caucus.

“I am tremendously honored by the generous support and confidence of the community and our members in electing me to lead this organization.” Freeman said. “I am motivated to work hard and take the organization to a higher level in 2011.”

Political Campaign Direct Mail October 23, 2009

As a  voter,  I was beginning to feel a little left out of the election process.  I mean, I’ve seen all the television ads, I’ve heard the radio pitches from community activists and ministers,  and I’ve interviewed all the candidates for mayor and various other positions. 

But,  no one was sending me direct mail at home.  I tried not to take it personally, and began to think, maybe it’s because of   the economy, and candidates don’t have much money.

That is, until I received the first political campaign direct mail piece from city of  Houston employee Noel Freeman, who is running for the city council at-large position 4 seat.  Freeman’s campaign has sent out a flyer attacking former police chief C.O. “Brad” Bradford, who is also a candidate for the  same seat.

Freeman is trying to remind voters about the problems in the Houston Police Department’s DNA crime lab that he says were covered up under Chief  Bradford’s watch.

The problems in the crime lab have been well documented.  They happened before, during and after Chief  Bradford’s watch. 

Bradford, who  lost a close race for Harris County District Attorney in November to Pat Lykos, says he is going to run a positive campaign and not respond to negative messages. 

Bradford has also received the endorsement of many groups, including the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Police Officer’s Union.

Anyway, the other two candidates in the race are conservative Curtis Garmon and Progressive candidate Deborah Shafto.  I’m attempting to interview  all four to include their perspective in a story  focusing on the issues in the  race.  It airs  Sunday night on KPRC Local 2.

Make sure you tune in, and you’ll see the one and only political campaign direct mail piece that was sent to my home mailbox.

Former Police Chief Annouces Bid For City Council August 12, 2009

Former Houston Police Chief C.O. “Brad”  Bradford held his official campaign kickoff  on Wednesday night at  an intimate gathering spot in Midtown. 

Months after losing a hard fought race for Harris County District Attorney,  Bradford is running for the Houston City Council At-Large Position 4 seat currently held by  council member Peter Brown who is  running for Mayor. 

More than 300 people were expected to attend the event, and those I spoke with say they are excited about Bradford getting in the race.  Bradford’s supporters believe that his background in law enforcement, along with his  experience running a large organization will give him special insight into the issues facing the  city of Houston.

State Senator Mario Gallegos, State Rep. Carol Alvarado, Constable Victor Trevino, Council Member and Controller Candidate Ron Green and attorney Darryl Carter  and Bob Ryan were some of the political heavyweights attending the campaign event.

Meanwhile, Noel Freeman is the only other announced candidate in the race. 

 Freeman has served as an administrator for  Houston’s  Public Works Department and owns a small business. 

He was recently endorsed by the  Houston Stonewall  Young Democrats.