First responder leaders take the low road as mayoral election looms near

 The latest flashpoint pits the Houston Police Officers Union against candidate Dwight Boykins who claims Mayor Sylvester Turner forced police to oppose pay parity for Fire Fighters. At a recent mayoral debate hosted by KPRC radio, Boykins talked about the pay parity issue.

Excerpt from KPRC Radio mayoral debate, October 2019

Excerpt from KPRC Radio mayoral debate featuring Dwight Boykins, city councilman and candidate for mayor and audience member Ray Hunt, former president of the Houston Police Officers Union.

 Police Union Leaders say Boykins' statement is absolutely untrue and posted this controversial tweet in protest

 Dwight Boykins calls the post "racist and disrespectful, Police Union President Joe Gamaldi was quick to respond.

Flashpoint in mayoral campaign between Houston police and firefighters

Fresh accusations of racism in the battle to be Houston's next mayor, tweets and comments by members of the Houston Police Officers Union aimed at mayoral candidate Dwight Boykins, who is endorsed by the Houston FireFighters Union.

 In a second statement, Tuesday Boykins said the post "used language that was meant to demean my worth as a Black man while exacerbating some of America's worst and more egregious racial stereotypes." Joe Gamaldi tells FOX 26 that the Union has pulled down the tweet.