Houston City Controller Annise Parker has been elected citywide six times, a political record that has prepared her for the toughest campaign of her life.  Earlier this year she announced her run for mayor of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States.  GayPolitics sat down with Annise to talk about the campaign ahead and her decision to run in what could be an historic election.

 GP:  Let’s get the big question out of the way first.  Why do you want to be mayor of Houston?

I know it sounds trite, but I love this city. I’m a Houston gal, through and through. I grew up in Houston and attended public schools.  I worked my way through college, then up the ladder in our oil and gas industry for 20 years before I went into public service. This city has given me everything I have.  I love it and want to give something back.

I love local government because it has to work. It has to produce every day. The water has to flow; the trash has to be picked up; the traffic signals have to function.  A city is like a living organism. All the parts have to mesh. And when they do, it’s a great feeling.

Most of all, given today’s economic climate, I’m confident that I’m the most prepared to lead Houston through these tough economic times. As city controller, I’ve managed billions of Houston’s tax dollars – and used my audits to uncover millions of dollars in waste due to inefficiencies, redundancies and outright fraud. And today, Houston is in much better shape financially than most other large American cities. 

No one else in this race has my depth of experience. I have experience in the private sector; I owned a small business; I served in civic associations; and I’ve worked for 11 1/2 years in city government. 

GP:  How will you be different?  What will be most important for you to accomplish as mayor?

Houston is an open, vibrant, global city – a big cosmopolitan place where people from all kinds of cultures and backgrounds can mix and be successful. My own success here is proof of that. 

Houstonians want to see in their leaders the same strengths we see in the city – business-minded, unpretentious, practical and pragmatic. Leadership must demonstrate an ability to “get it done” with a focus on practical issues. That’s what I believe our next mayor must do – and that’s always been my focus as a city leader. 

GP:  You’ve been elected citywide both to the Houston City Council and the Controller’s office six times.  Were you open about your sexual orientation each time, and how did that play out in your previous campaigns?

I’ve always been honest and open with Houston voters. Voters appreciate that honesty, and they have responded to it. Frankly, it’s a quality they do not expect from politicians.

At the end of the day, I believe that voters elect leaders who care about the same things they care about: taking care of our families and making sure our streets are safe, our economy is growing, the potholes get filled and the garbage gets picked up.

 GP:  If you win, Houston will be the largest U.S. city with an openly gay or lesbian mayor.  What do you think that will mean for the city?

It would be yet another affirmation of the fact that Houstonians care more about what you can do than who you are. I have often bragged on the fact that if you work hard, you can succeed in Houston, regardless of where you are from, “who your people are,” as some say in the South, or whom you love. In the end, it would simply mean that Houston voters agreed I was the best-qualified candidate to keep our city moving forward in this incredibly tough economy.

 GP:  Are you ready for the slings and arrows from the anti-gay industry?

Sure – although my campaign team is probably more worried than I am. It’s a free country and people can say what they want.  I’m working hard to stay focused on the job – it’s a big one and I can’t afford to be distracted by a shrinking minority of folks who might want to take our focus away from solving the real problems facing our city.

GP:  We assume your partner and kids are on board.  Tell us about how they’re dealing with the campaign.

My family is great, and I am reminded every day of how fortunate we are to have each other. Kathy and I have been together since 1990 – she’s a pro when it comes to dealing with life during a political campaign. And although our daughters understand there is a downside, they also know there are benefits that most other children don’t have. They get to meet interesting people and have unique life experiences.

 GP:  How’s fundraising going?  How much do you plan to raise for the campaign?

I have to say how grateful I am – and amazed – that my supporters have been so generous in making contributions in this economy. Houston is a big place – spread over 640 square miles.  Mayoral campaigns here can cost $3 million and up.  We are all working hard because the stakes for our city are so high.  We’ll raise whatever it takes to win.

Learn more about Annise and how you can help her campaign here.