HOUSTON -- Former Houston mayoral candidate Peter Brown endorsed Annise Parker Tuesday in the Dec. 12 runoff with Gene Locke.
Brown said he would cast his vote for Parker and asked his supporters, friends and family to do the same.
“One candidate stands out with a 12-year proven track record of public service, particularly in terms of efficient, transparent government, the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and fiscal responsibility, especially important in these difficult economic times," Brown said.
“I am proud to accept this endorsement from Peter Brown,” Parker said. “Councilmember Brown has dedicated his life to improving the quality of life in Houston. I know his service to his community will continue and I look forward to working with him as Mayor.”
"Mr. Brown and I don't agree on everything," Parker said. "But we do agree on wanting to work together in the best interest of the city of Houston.
"The differences are absolutely minimal and together we can achieve goals that we both have dreamed of," added Brown.
An hour later across the street from city hall at Tranquilty Park, Gene Locke the other candidate in the mayoral runoff election, announced the endorsement of three prominent African American pastors who had previously supported Peter Brown.
Pastor D.Z. Cofield of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor James Nash of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop James Dixon of the Community of Faith Church announced they would now support Locke.
The pastors explained that they have long supported Locke as a colleague and friend but agreed to support Peter Brown long before Locke decided to enter the race. They called their continued support of Brown a matter of principal: that they abided by their good word to support the candidate.
"We walked away from that shaking hands saying I respect where you are." Locke said of the pastors' support of Brown during the campaign. "They (the pastors) admonished me as a candidate to run long and hard. And that's exactly what has happened."
"But now that the path is clear we are here to say Gene Locke we support you," said Cofield. "We want to work with you to bring about an even better Houston."
Parker finished first last week in a tight race with Locke and Brown.
