DALLAS – A Dallas Democrat seeking election to the Texas House of Representatives has acknowledged that he once worked as a prostitute.
Tom Malin, a salesman and actor, said he no longer works as a prostitute but conceded that his previous life could cost him the nomination in the March 7 Democratic primary.
“I’ve made mistakes in my life, and I’ve stood before my creator and I’ve accepted responsibility for my behavior,” Malin told The Dallas Morning News for its editions today.
“I’ve also accepted his grace and his redemption and his love and his forgiveness,” and that’s what is important, he said.
Archived versions of Web sites that are now defunct advertise the services of a male escort identified as Todd Sharpe. The phone number listed with Sharpe belongs to Malin, The Morning News reported.
Malin, who once was a member of the Dallas Citizens Police Review Board, has also worked as a Mary Kay salesman and performed in Dallas-area theater productions. His candidate Web page describes him as a managing director for the marketing arm of a Dallas electricity provider.
Malin faces retired salesman Jack Borden in the Democratic primary. The winner will face incumbent Republican Dan Branch in November in a race to represent a district covering much of central Dallas.
On his candidate Web page, Malin said he is “committed to giving our families a voice in Austin, with a focus on education, the economy, and restoring a ‘spirit of ethics’ to our State House.”
He said Thursday that he would stay in the race.
“I don’t regret my past, nor do I wish to shut the door on my past,” he said. “I think anyone who has made mistakes in their lives can be a viable member of community and society.”
Former Dallas County Democratic chairwoman Susan Hays, a Malin supporter, said the candidate had informed her about his past.
“He’s been a mess, but righted himself,” she said. “He’s got more honesty and energy than his Democratic opponent and Dan Branch.”
The Dallas Tejano Democrats endorsed Malin on Thursday, before the group learned of Malin’s prostitution. Chairman Domingo Garcia said Malin did not mention his past during candidate screening.
“Obviously we will have to reconsider our decision based on the new information,” Garcia said.
Malin said he’s been sober for 13 years after being addicted to alcohol. He said he grew up in an abusive household and that he was abused physically, emotionally and sexually as a child.
Malin said people care about where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
“I know that there are people that can benefit from my experience,” he said. “This is not about winning an election; this is about empowerment. There is a higher calling and a higher message involved in this.”