Anti-Gay Rev. Meeks Withdraws from Chicago Mayor's Race

An early Christmas present ...

Outspoken anti-gay mega-church pastor and Illinois State Sen. James T. Meeks has withdrawn his candidacy for Chicago mayor today, the deadline for candidates to drop out to avoid having their names appear on the Feb. 22 ballot.

In a statement, Meeks urged the remaining Black candidates to follow his lead and rally around a single "unity" candidate.

"Unfortunately, though, our house is divided. I have met with each of the four other African-American candidates and urged them in the strongest terms to consider withdrawing from the race in the interest of unity and for the greater good of our community. ... It is long past time that we build on the tremendous successes of the great Harold Washington and his administration by electing another African-American to become our mayor. But as long as our community remains divided and splintered – to the specific advantage of the front-running, status quo candidates – we will never see things improve. We need to speak with one voice."

Meeks decision comes one day after meeting with fellow Democratic candidates U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. The meeting was described by the Sun-Times as "a last-ditch effort to unite behind a consensus black candidate for mayor." It was anticipated that Meeks was "likely" to "drop out ... soon."

The statement made no reference to the series of controversies that have plagued Meeks' candidacy from almost the beginning. Last  week during a mayoral forum, Meeks said that Asians, Hispanics and women "should not" be considered "minorities" in the city’s affirmative-action contracting programs. The comment created a firestorm. Meeks later retracted the statement.

Meeks’ opposition to the recent landmark vote on civil unions drew harsh criticism from fellow politicians and lgbt activists. Meeks, who has called homosexuality "an evil sickness", was the only black legislator voting against the bill. Meeks also opposed Illinois' LGBT non-discrimination legislation and was the only Black in the General Assembly to vote against that bill, too. Days after voting against civil unions, Meeks greeted diners at the restaurant owned by openly gay Ald. Tom Tunney (44th). The largely gay clientele was not enthused.

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Comments

[South Side]

Hit the road Jack ...

[FREELEO]

This is turning into the best holiday season I've had in a long time.

[King Drive]

Where are the church queens and closet cases who used to defend this gaybashing hypocrite?

They've been kinda quiet ever since he earned his stripes as the only black legislator to oppose civil unions. I guess that was his right and we should just get over it? LOL

Rev Meeks ruined his chances at higher office with that vote, his big mouth and antigay record. You take care, rev.

[FQ]

A quitter always wants everyone else to quit, too. Not that Meeks had much of a chance. Seems like he had a few problems with joining the 21st century, like many other black pastors.

[Chitown Kev]

Well, Merry Xmas.

@Freeleo- Yeah, and I am really to bet that the same establishment black leaders that Meeks called "house n*ggers didn't take kindly to being called that our to Meeks, generally.

it will be difficult enough trying to get a black person elected to be mayor of Chicago, the last thing anyone needed was all of Miss Meeks' drama.

[South Side]

Meeks is a mess and he is not well liked in black political circles. Too chummy with Republicans and not a team player. And as Chitown said, quite a few aldermen and committeemen probably didn't like being called Daley's "house ni__ers."

Good riddance to bad rubbish.