Georgia candidate loses after anti-trans lawsuit

Fri, Dec 28th 2007, 08:12

Transgender incumbent loses bid for second term in run-off
Michelle Bruce says gender fraud lawsuit likely affected vote's outcome, plans suit against opponents
By DYANA BAGBY, Southern Voice | Dec 4, 8:35 PM

Transgender incumbent Riverdale City Councilmember Michelle Bruce lost in her bid for re-election during today's run-off election, according to results from the City Clerk.

"I lost," Bruce said after hearing she lost to political newcomer Wayne Hall in an unofficial count of 223 votes to 308 votes. A totoal of 543 votes were cast.

Bruce watched the vote count at City Hall with supporters from Georgia Equality and the Human Rights Campaign. Tearful and visibly upset, Bruce said she believes a gender fraud lawsuit brought against her by opponents alleging she deceived voters during the Nov. 6 regular election by identifying as female on the ballot affected tonight's outcome.

A judge dismissed the suit filed by Georgia Fuller and Stanley Harris, who both lost in their bids for the city council on Nov. 6, yesterday in Clayton County Superior Court, stating that “no fraud was perpetrated on the citizens of Riverdale.”

"I think the lawsuit had something to do with it," Bruce said tonight of her loss, adding she was "shocked" by the results. She added she was planning to file a civil suit against Fuller, who ran for Bruce's seat, and Harris.

Bruce, whose term expires in January, said she is now ready to bring her activist side out.

"I will continue to fight for LGBT rights and for all the citizens. We need to come together," she said.

Kyle Bailey, political director for Georgia Equality, the state's largest ay rights organization, said he was disappointed with the outcome.

"We put a lot of energy into this campaign. She has served the city well, she has integrity. It's unfortunate forces came to divide and play on people's fears," he said.