race trumps sexuality?

Several articles, including one in The Advocate.com, are paying attention to a local political race in Birmingham, Alabama. It appears that Patricia Todd, an out gay politician won in a district that is majority African-American. The brouhaha is not about her being openly lesbian though, constituents are up in arms because she is white.

But the issue people are talking about is whether a white woman should get to represent a mostly black district in a state where blacks couldn't vote two generations ago and where race is still an overriding factor in carving out election districts. A black Democratic leader urged black voters to support Todd's black opponent, Gaynell Hendricks, on the basis of race, and Todd fears racial politics may taint proceedings before the subcommittee."

Call me naive, but what happened to voting for the person who can do the best job, no matter what their ethnic background or sexual orientation? I guess that would mean governing instead of just politicking.

Technorati tag: Race; Sexual Orientation; Politics; Alabama