Harris County GOP attacks Houston Mayor Annise Parker for marrying longtime partner
Harris County Republican Party chair Jared Woodfill sent out an email blast Friday morning (above) attacking Houston Mayor Annise Parker for marrying her longtime partner, Kathy Hubbard. Woodfill is the one whos suing Parker and the city over same-sex benefits:
Remember those illegal same-sex marriage benefits that were ruled unconstitutional and a violation of Texas Family Code some weeks ago? Mayor Parker apparently cannot take a hint, and is now upping the stakes, taking her liberal political agenda for City Hall to a whole new level. Mayor Parker is now in a position to pay herself these same benefits under the guise of her new marriage. The law, and now taxpayer money, evidently matters little to the Mayor of Houston. We will not allow this reckless and lawless behavior to continue. We will continue to fight Mayor Parker and her illegal actions. The Harris County Republican Party will always stand on principle regardless of who opposes us. Join us in this fight!
Woodfills email is misleading. The benefits werent ruled unconstitutional or illegal. Rather, a Republican family court judge issued a temporary restraining order after Woodfill went forum-shopping with his lawsuit. But then Parker and the city moved the case to federal court, where a judge declined to extend the restraining order. There has been no ruling as to the legality of the benefits.
Also, despite Woodfills claims, the news release from the city announcing Parkers marriage specifically said that the mayors wife, Hubbard, doesnt plan to sign up for city spousal benefits.
But for Woodfill, this isnt about facts, its about politics. Woodfill is in a contested GOP primary against a well-funded, more moderate opponent, Paul Simpson. Part of me wants Woodfill to win, though, so he can continue to run the party into the ground.
Source:
http://www.lonestarq.com/harris-county-gop-sends-email-attacking-mayor-annise-parker-marrying-partner/
Cross-posted in the Texas Group.