Dave Wilson screwed the system.
Already infamous for mailing homphobic fliers to voters in Houston as part of a campaign against its mayor Annise Parker (who's a lesbian), Wilson—a white Republican in a district filled with mostly black Democrats—was elected to the Houston Community College Board of Trustees by conning voters into believing he's black.
He pulled off the devil's greatest trick by placing black faces—which he proudly admits to ripping from the web—on his campaign fliers along with the message "Please vote for our friend and neighbor Dave Wilson."
Another flier read "Endorsed by Ron Wilson," who voters probably assumed was the former state representative, who happens to be African-American. Wilson was referring to his cousin who lives in Iowa, and the fine print—which he basically dared people to read—even says so. Downright evil.
Wilson justified his actions by saying politicians are "deceiving voters" whenever they speak, so he simply followed suit. He was just surprised that he won. What a smug prick.
Bruce Austin, the incumbent, is rightfully disgusted. Not only did he lose by 26 votes, he lost by 26 votes through deception. "I don't think it's good," he said of Wilson's win and tactics. "I don't think it's good for both democracy and the whole concept of fair play. But that was not his intent, apparently." Austin says he plans to seek a recount.
[via ThinkProgress and KHOU]
