(This article originally appeared HERE on Voice of San Diego.)

Midway through Myrtle Cole’s speech at a union hall Tuesday night, a supporter stood up behind her holding up signs with photos of Cole and San Diego Mayor Bob Filner.

Victory, the signs read.

When Cole turned to see the photos, another supporter announced the latest vote tally had given her an insurmountable lead in the District 4 City Council race.

SAN DIEGO -- The fourth annual Lavender Graduation ceremony was held at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Wednesday and nearly 40 students participated. The event is organized each year to recognize the contributions of graduating students who identify as LGBT or allies of the community.

Editors note: Following Tuesday night's City of San Diego special election, Dwayne Crenshaw and Myrtle Cole - who are both vying for the District 4 city council seat - will advance to a run-off election, which will be scheduled within 49 days.

It’s no secret that I get excited about things and invest myself it something very much.

Most recently I have been working to help Dwayne Crenshaw win election to the open Fourth District City Council seat.

Editor's note: Dwayne Crenshaw is a candidate for the City of San Diego District 4 City Council seat in the special election being held Tuesday, March 26. The letter below is Crenshaw's response to an editorial in "The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint," a local publication that reports "on news from an African-American perspective and African-American communities of San Diego County, from small church gatherings to major political campaigns." The portion of the editorial that discusses Crenshaw's candidacy is copied below, followed by Crenshaw's response.