A fantastic update to the story of Charles Pugh, the popular and openly gay longtime former Detroit television anchor who entered the race for Detroit City Council. Pugh is poised to become Detroit’s first openly gay city councilmember and finished in first place among more than 160 candidates in last night’s primary, "a remarkable feat for a first-time candidate," notes Gay Politics.
The Detroit Free Press reports: "In the crowded City Council race, former Fox 2 reporter Charles Pugh
was the top finisher with 9%, or 59,560 votes. Council President Ken
Cockrel Jr. took second place, followed by former Detroit Deputy Police
Chief Gary Brown. At Pugh's celebration, he gathered with about 200 supporters at
Capital Square on Congress. He pointed his index finger in the air, as
everyone realized he was No. 1. Silver confetti fell from the rafters. 'This
is unbelievable,' he said. 'Very humbling. It speaks to the fact that
Detroiters are ready for change. I'm going to fight really hard to take
our message to the city. The message is about fiscal responsibility and
creating jobs.'"
The top 18 council candidates now advance to an at-large election.
Pugh, who was endorsed by the Victory Fund, is one of the very few openly gay black local or national television news personalities. Some analysts feared Pugh's historic candidacy would not resonate with voters "in one of the country’s largest African-American cities where openly gay elected officials are rare if present at all."
The issues triumphed and "many voters said they crave change and new blood on the nine-member council", which is under FBI investigation for bribery. Detroit's former longtime Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick—the anti-gay, serial adulterer who pushed a same-sex marrriage ban—was sent to jail for corruption. Another sign of change: Not only was Charles Pugh the top vote-getter last night, but his sexuality was not mentioned in the front page coverage by the Detroit News or Detroit Free Press.
Thanks RODNEY and KEN!
Bing Cruises [Free Press]
Bing Advances; Pugh, at Top of Council Race [Det News]
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Openly Gay TV Anchor to Run for Detroit City Council [R20]
Well, congratulations to Charles Pugh. Hopefully, he'll be able to do some good things and provide a voice that needs to be heard.
Posted by: Ravenback | 05 August 2009 at 19:19
This is really great news.
Congratulations to Mr. Pugh and congratulations to Detroit!
Posted by: King Drive | 05 August 2009 at 19:38
We are so proud of CAP!!! This helps me to be proud to be a Detroiter again! I encourage everyone to read CAP's aka Charles' life story-you will be amazed! I can't you enough for posting this Rod-Ken!!
Posted by: Ken | 05 August 2009 at 21:16
Detroit politics are a MESS! I will vote for him in the general election (yes I'm a Detroiter). Our former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was very much Anti-Gay and I couldn't stand his UGLY A**! I sure am glad he's gone. Charles is a very intelligent and eloquent man and I remember watching him on Fox 2 Detroit. I wish him ALL the best!
Posted by: Isis | 05 August 2009 at 22:13
Congratulations to Pugh and my hometown of Detroit!
Posted by: Chitown Kev | 06 August 2009 at 00:35
This is wonderful news! Although I don't live in Detroit, I sent a note and check to his campaign because I think Pugh is the real deal with the smarts and leadership to move his city forward. And yeah, the fact that he's family didn't hurt :). This man left the most thoughtful message on my phone. I was expecting maybe a thank you for your support form letter in the mail, but a personal call?!? I'm impressed.
Posted by: Otis | 06 August 2009 at 10:42