Lupe Valdez

Lupe Valdez is an American law enforcement official and the Sheriff of Dallas County, Texas. She is Texas's only elected female sheriff, as well as being the only openly lesbian holder of that office. [Blotcher, Jay. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2004_Dec_7/ai_n8641976 Dallas Gets Lesbian Sheriff] , The Advocate (December 7, 2004). Retrieved on May 17, 2007.]

Early life

Born to migrant farm worker parents, she was raised in San Antonio as one of eight children. She started life working in the fields, but paid her way through collegeFact|date=April 2008, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She then earned a Master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Career

Prior to entering law enforcement, Lupe Valdez was an officer in the United States Army. During her time in the Army, she attained the rank of Captain.

Her law enforcement career began as a jailer, first in a county jail and then a federal prison. She then moved on to investigative roles as an agent of the General Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and, finally, the U.S. Customs Service where she was a leader in the federal Counter Smuggling Initiative. With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002, she was made a Senior Agent, serving in that role until her retirement in 2004. In January 2004, Lupe Valdez retired to run for the office of Dallas County Sheriff.

Election as Sheriff

On January 2, 2004, Lupe Valdez announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Dallas County Sheriff. During the primary election, she faced three opponents, and finished as the highest vote-getter with 13,867 votes. She subsequently won a run-off election against future Dallas County Judge Jim Foster. Valdez won 73% of the vote in the run-off.

As she entered the general campaign, Valdez was widely considered the underdog in her general election race against Republican Danny Chandler. Chandler, a 30-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, had defeated incumbent Sheriff Jim Bowles in the Republican primary. Bowles, who was tainted by corruption allegations, had held the office for 20 years.

The general election saw Valdez beat Chandler by 51.3% to 48.7% - a margin of some 18,000 votes. The election, combined with the fact that Valdez is female, Hispanic and a lesbian, made national headlines and was even reported overseas.

As an openly gay candidate for public office, Valdez's campaign won the backing of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. She was sworn in on January 1, 2005.

Valdez is a committed Christian, and formerly attended the Cathedral of Hope of Greater Dallas.

Upon taking office as Dallas County Sheriff, Valdez faced a department that was wracked by poor morale, tainted by allegations of corruption and marred by the fact that the Dallas County Jail had begun failing state and federal inspections prior to her election. The jail had failed inspections because of poor sanitation conditions, a failing smoke evacuation system, unacceptable medical care, and a lack of sufficient guards to meet the legally-required guard-to-inmate ratio.

The Dallas County Jail has continued to fail inspections every year that Valdez has been in office.

Controversy

Sheriff Valdez's tenure has been marked by a number of controversies.

Areas of criticism in the press have included:
*Allegedly poor communications inside the department, with county officials, and with the press. [http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-05-04/news/sheriff-who/ Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] ] [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/dallas/stories/DN-freemeals_19met.ART.State.Edition1.36bd0ae.html Dallas County jailers, deputies to get holiday meal after all | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas News ] Dallas County jailers, deputies to get holiday meal after all | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-ragland_28met.ART.North.Edition1.4279813.html JAMES RAGLAND | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas-Fort Worth Politics | The Dallas Morning News ] ] [http://dallasobserver.com/2006-05-18/news/gravy-train/ Dallas - News - Gravy Train ] Dallas - News - Gravy Train ] ] [http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2006/05/exclusive_sheriff_lupe_aint_a.php Unfair Park - Exclusive: Sheriff Lupe Ain't a Good Test-Taker ] Unfair Park - Exclusive: Sheriff Lupe Ain't a Good Test-Taker ] Unfair Park - Exclusive: Sheriff Lupe Ain't a Good Test-Taker ] ] [http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-05-04/news/sheriff-who/ Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] 4] [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/022708dnmetsheriffrace.335761b.html Dallas County Sheriff Valdez accused of campaigning in county buildings | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas-Fort Worth Politics | The Dallas Morning News ] Dallas County Sheriff Valdez accused of campaigning in county buildings | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas-Fort Worth Politics | The Dallas Morning News ] ]
*Dallas County jails still failing state inspections [ [http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-05-04/news/sheriff-who/ Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] 2] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/030808dnmetvaldez.35e18db.html Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez gets a jump on re-election bid | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas-Fort Worth Politics | The Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-incumbency_06edi.ART.State.Edition1.4648c88.html Editorial: What happened to 'change'? | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/011908dnmetjailinspection.34be22ca.html Dallas County jail fails fifth straight inspection | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News ] ] [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/021908dnmetsheriffdems.353ba97.html Jail reform a hot topic among Democrats running for Dallas County sheriff | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] Jail reform a hot topic among Democrats running for Dallas County sheriff | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/dallas/stories/040507dnmetjailinspect.3040562.html State review: Dallas County Jail no better | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-daljail_19met.ART.State.Edition1.420bb7f.html Dallas County approves order for jail improvements | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-jailstaff_27met.ART.State.Edition1.2024c34.html Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas-Fort Worth Politics | The Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/stories/051107dntexjail.380a0e5.html Jail bill targets Dallas | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas Legislature ] ] , though with improving levels of compliance at least partly due to Dallas County spending "millions" to improve sanitation and jail health. [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-jailtv_01met.ART.State.Edition1.4d7b531.html Dallas County jail filming upsets some commissioners | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ]
*Declining arrest rates for driving while intoxicated and alleged disproportionate DWI arrests of Hispanics. [http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-05-04/news/sheriff-who/ Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] Dallas - News - Sheriff Who? ] 5] [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/081807dnmetdwi.35cbe32.html Deputies getting little use from mobile rig in DWI fight | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News ] Deputies getting little use from mobile rig in DWI fight | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News ] ]
*High levels of overtime. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/022008dnmetsheriffOT.3440f9d.html Dallas County sheriff battles commissioner over overtime report | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas-Fort Worth Politics | The Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-overtime_16met.ART.State.Edition1.379b325.html Overtime bill at Dallas jails tops $9 million | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091907dnmetdalcobudget.33da6dd.html Dallas County OKs raising tax rate 6.6% | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/040307dnmetjailot.29f8f7e2.html Dallas County jail OT still running into millions | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ]
*Using trainee jail guards in the jails. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/dmn/stories/070507dnmettempjailers.39109a9.html New jailers work without training | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Front Page Stories ] ]
*Taking 2 years to successfully pass her Texas Peace Officer Certification examination after being elected.
* Engaging in campaign activities while in uniform. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-hitsandmisses_01edi.ART.State.Edition1.4639494.html Hits and Misses | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials ] ]
*Grant applications management controversies. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sheriff_21met.ART0.North.Edition1.42af91c.html Dallas Sheriff says grant writer did better than was reported | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ]
*Failing to update promotion lists via testing, and promoting some staff without currently valid lists. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-promotions_19met.ART0.State.Edition1.438f102.html Promotions made without using list | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ]
*Allowing some deputies to use take-home cars outside county Commissioners' Court-approved guidelines. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sheriffcars_11met.ART.State.Edition1.4470f74.html Sheriff targeting car policy | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ] [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-takehomecars_14met.ART0.North.Edition1.3e59c12.html Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News ] ]
*Violating "long-standing policy" in Dallas County, which was upheld by a state district judge [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/070908dnmetfsheriff_.3c1aaee4.html Dallas County taxpayers shelled out at least $5,800 in legal fight over jail filming | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dal... ] ] , by authorizing the Discovery Channel to film a documentary without gaining required Commissioner Court permission. This prompted the Commissioners Court to unanimously seek [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/070208dnmetjailtv.123f271e.html Judge to rule today in battle over filming at Dallas County jail | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News ] ] (and ultimately get [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jragland/stories/070308dnmetragland.3ddd273.html TV crew's departure a lucky break for Sheriff Lupe Valdez | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Columnist James Ragland | Dallas-Fort Worth News ] ] ) a restraining order against the Sheriff. The Dallas Morning News editorial board criticized the Sheriff's handling of the matter: "the positive publicity from finally meeting state standards would have been superior to that of a cable documentary and an unnecessary fight with those who hold her purse strings." [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-valdez_03edi.ART.State.Edition1.4df16eb.html Editorial: Sheriff picks unnecessary fight | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials ] ] The legal costs to the county could be as high as $11,000.
*Average freeway wreck clearing time has increased from 16 minutes in 2004 to 45 minutes in 2007. [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sherifftraffic_17met.ART0.North.Edition1.4ddc526.html]
*Eliminating patrol officers and moving all of them to freeway patrols for a goal of "boosting ticket revenue". [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sherifftraffic_17met.ART0.North.Edition1.4ddc526.html]

2008 re-election campaign

Sheriff Valdez formally filed for re-election to a second term on December 3, 2007. [http://www.lupevaldez.com/media/filing2.html announcement speech]

She faced criticism from her opponents [ [http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/aug/10/dallas-county-sheriff-valdez-gets-ready-nasty-figh/ Dallas county sheriff Valdez gets ready for nasty fight | pegasusnews.com | Dallas / Fort Worth ] ] and the Dallas Morning News [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-demsheriff_13edi.ART.State.Edition1.4511cb3.html We Recommend | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials ] ] .

Valdez won the 2008 primary, narrowly avoiding a runoff by winning 50.85% in a four-candidate field on March 4, 2008. [ [http://enr2.clarityelections.com/Default.aspx?page=T&c=dallas&eid=330&lid=1&cid=0196&ref=false ENR ] ]

At July 15, 2008 news conference, the National Latino Peace Officers Association, Dallas County Peace Officers Association, Dallas County Sheriff's Association and Fraternal Order of Police, frustrated because Sheriff Valdez "repeatedly refused to meet" with them over labor issues, "blasted [Sheriff Valdez] for lack of leadership and inaction during [Dallas County's fiscal year 2009] budget crisis," further alleging that Valdez's leadership has "led to a historic low in morale and an 'overwhelming view of no confidence within our ranks.'" [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sheriffprotest_16met.ART.State.Edition1.4db017b.html Dallas County sheriff Valdez to meet with employee associations over worker concerns | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dal... ] ]

As of August 28, 2008, Valdez received no endorsement of officers' groups. Fourteen groups, including the left-leaning Latino Peace Officers Association, have endorsed GOP rival Lowell Cannaday. Dallas County Democratic Party Chairwoman Darlene Ewing was "surprised" at the Latino group's GOP endorsement, but the group's vice president, Democrat Mike Ramirez, criticized Valdez's accessibility and said the endorsement stems from Cannaday's accessibility, qualifications, and vision. [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-sheriffrace_29met.ART0.State.Edition1.4e1d430.html]

References

External links

* [http://www.lupevaldez.com/ Election homepage]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03r_yhJmRUs Lupe Valdez Interview]