Ed Oakley is set to announce that the infamous trio of John Wiley Price, Demetris Sampson, and Kathy Neeley, will be joining his campaign to help Oakley with the Black vote. They should do better for Oakley then they did for Max Wells since Ed Oakley has some Black voter support already. There is also no doubt that the John Price group will run away some voters from Ed Oakley.

With John Price and company joining the Oakley campaign, that leaves little room for Don Hill and company to join the Oakley effort. It is no secret that when Kathy Neely enters a campaign, all the air and all the money leave the room. Meanwhile, Tom Leppert is close to bringing aboard Lynn Flint-Shaw to co-chair his run off campaign and help lead his southern sector effort. If that happens, it will reunite Ms. Shaw, Rev. Freddie Haynes III and Willis Johnson. This trio worked well together in pulling off the last bond campaign victory that showcased the southern sector’s voting strength.

Tom Leppert’s major attraction to the Black electorate is that he represents hope and a new relationship between the Anglo business community and the Black community. “For years we have been promised by the Anglo business community that serious Black business development would finally happen. But it has not happened”, says Lynn Flint-Shaw. “Many African-Americans believe that with Tom’s contacts, business background and his commitment to the southern sector, he would be the mayor who can finally motivate the Anglo business elite to jump start southern sector economic development through Black business development.”

Ms. Flint-Shaw has also been wooed by Mr. Oakley to join his campaign. She enjoys a productive working relationship with Mr. Oakley. “Ed and I have worked together on a number of projects that have benefited the southern sector. He knows how to work city hall from a city councilman’s perspective.” says Ms. Flint-Shaw.

Don Hill’s endorsement is considered to be one of the most important endorsements in this run off election. However, a source with knowledge of this event told me that Mr. Hill and a group of his operatives literally ambushed Mr. Leppert in a scheduled meeting where Mr. Hill’s operatives demanded $200,000 for three weeks work to turn out the Black vote for Tom Leppert. A day later the price escalated to $750,000. I find this demand bizarre when you consider that Don Hill’s campaign organization was not one of his best assets in the mayoral election. There is certainly nothing criminal or unethical in negotiating payment for services. I am sure Don Hill and his people will add value to any campaign they join. But $750,000! Here is the bottom line: John Price and company are already with Ed Oakley. Where else can the Don Hill camp go? Of course, they could always sit this one out and risk having no stroke with either candidate.

Don’t underestimate Ed Oakley. I have heard too many people suggest that Tom Leppert has got this race won because of his appeal in North Dallas . I disagree. I see this race being very close. First off, there are quite a few voters in the North Dallas business community who feel Ed and Tom will both serve their interests equally. Second, Ed has the opportunity to make history by becoming the city’s first gay mayor which means gays and lesbians voters will be especially motivated as they should be. Finally, North Dallas voters may stay home because some of them still consider Tom Leppert an outsider.

Ed Oakley is a superb policy wonk. He knows the ends and outs of city hall. However, one has to wonder whether Ed’s strengths will begin to clash with City Manager Mary Suhm. Tom Leppert, on the other hand, is casting himself as an ambassador and visionary, a posture that seems to mix better in a city manager form of government where the mayor has the bully pulpit and the city manager is the wonk. All of this suggests to me that the race for mayor is far from decided. At least that is how I see it from South of the Trinity.

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