Openly gay business professor Dan Innis has lost his GOP primary bid to represent New Hampshire’s first district. In Massachusetts, scandal-tarred Democratic incumbent Rep. John Tierney was defeated in the Democratic primary, which means openly gay GOP Republican challenger Richard Tisei is now much less likely to prevail in the general election (although it would be nice to see the Human Rights Campaign endorse him, given no Democratic incumbent in the race and no prospect of the Democrats reclaiming the House).
That leaves San Diego’s Carl DeMaio as the openly gay GOP congressional candidate with a real shot at winning. DeMaio, of course, is not backed by either HRC (which is loath to support any Republican, whether gay, gay-supportive or otherwise) nor the Victory Fund (which did support Innis and Tisei).
DeMaio, while serving on the San Diego city council, spearheaded public pension reforms detested by government employee unions, which seems more important to LGBT “nonpartisan” but progressive groups then his support for marriage equality, or even his pro-choice stance on abortion (another Victory Fund litmus test). Log Cabin Republicans, however, are energetically working on his behalf.
A positive sign: Monica Wehby, a Republican Senate candidate in Oregon, unveils a TV spot highlighting her support for marriage equality. It’s “a reflection of the rapidly shifting politics of the issue,” says Politico.
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7 Comments for “Primary Night”
posted by Houndentenor on
You have yet to explain why we should support DeMaio other than that he’s gay. I certainly wouldn’t support a straight candidate with the same positions.
posted by Tom Jefferson III on
HMMM
posted by Tom Scharbach on
DeMaio, of course, is not backed by … the Victory Fund (which did support Innis and Tisei).
DeMaio did not seek Victory Fund endorsement. In fact, he did not even file the required application for consideration. He was not endorsed. Why should he be?
DeMaio has been using the “progressive gay and lesbian groups like the Victory Fund hate me” meme as a form of political jujitsu to firm up his credentials with anti-equality Republicans. It might be a shrewd political move on his part, but only a fool would think that there is any substance behind the “Victory Fund wouldn’t endorse me” whine, given the facts.
Log Cabin Republicans, however, are energetically working on his behalf.
It makes sense, and is consistent with LCR’s stated mission of “helping to elect fair-minded Republicans to the U.S. House and Senate”. Beats endorsing anti-equality morons like Florida Governor Rick Scott, who is another of LCR’s favorites in this election cycle. Go figure.
What puzzles me, Stephen, is why you think that “progressive” groups should/would endorse a conservative just because he is gay. Conservatives certainly don’t (even when the Republican alternative doesn’t support marriage equality), and nobody expects them to do so. Why should “progressives” operate differently, particularly when there is a pro-equality alternative candidate more in line with their position on other issues?
Enough said.
Democratic incumbent Rep. John Tierney was defeated in the Democratic primary, which means openly gay GOP Republican challenger Richard Tisei is now much less likely to prevail in the general election …
We’ve been hearing about DeMaio on IGF for the last two years. Perhaps if you would not throw in the towel so quickly on strong pro-equality Republican candidates like Tisei (or even like Oregon Republican Senate candidate DeMaio, of course, is not backed by … the Victory Fund (which did support Innis and Tisei).
DeMaio did not seek Victory Fund endorsement. In fact, he did not even file the required application for consideration. He was not endorsed. Why should he be?
DeMaio has been using the “progressive gay and lesbian groups like the Victory Fund hate me” meme as a form of political jujitsu to firm up his credentials with anti-equality Republicans. It might be a shrewd political move on his part, but only a fool would think that there is any substance behind the “Victory Fund wouldn’t endorse me” whine, given the facts.
Log Cabin Republicans, however, are energetically working on his behalf.
It makes sense, and is consistent with LCR’s stated mission of “helping to elect fair-minded Republicans to the U.S. House and Senate”. Beats endorsing anti-equality morons like Florida Governor Rick Scott, who is another of LCR’s favorites in this election cycle. Go figure.
What puzzles me, Stephen, is why you think that “progressive” groups should/would endorse a conservative just because he is gay. Conservatives certainly don’t (even when the Republican alternative doesn’t support marriage equality), and nobody expects them to do so. Why should “progressives” operate differently, particularly when there is a pro-equality alternative candidate more in line with their position on other issues?
Enough said.
Democratic incumbent Rep. John Tierney was defeated in the Democratic primary, which means openly gay GOP Republican challenger Richard Tisei is now much less likely to prevail in the general election …
We’ve been hearing about DeMaio on IGF for the last two years. Perhaps if you would not throw in the towel so quickly on strong pro-equality Republican candidates like Tisei, the Republican Party might actually move forward.
posted by Tom Scharbach on
A side note to the travesty that is being visiting upon Carl DeMaio by progressive gays and lesbians: SCOTUSblog has an overview of yesterday’s developments at the Supreme Court. The fact that the Court appears to be pushing to have cases considered at the “long conference” is unusual, and the discussion gives an overview of the myriad of issues presented by the various cases under consideration.
posted by Tom Scharbach on
Dan Innes’ primary loss to Frank Guinta is problematic on a number of levels.
First, Guinta has been an outspoken opponent of marriage equality, in a state which enacted marriage-equivalent civil unions in 2004 and marriage equality in 2010. Guinta’s primary win solidified the meme that an anti-equality Republican will win a Republican primary, even in an equality state.
Second, Innes, a strong proponent of “equal means equal”, was willing to take the fight to the Republican Party, speaking openly and reasonably often about the need for the Republican Party to turn on marriage equality. Innes’ primary loss silenced his voice in a critical state. If Republicans are to turn, the effort will first have to take hold in states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon and so on. It is unrealistic to think that “equal means equal” is going to take hold in the Republican Party’s “base” states like Texas.
Third, Innes was effectively tossed under the bus by supposedly pro-equality conservatives, who did not put any muscle behind his candidacy. Instead, the effort went into Carl DeMaio, a “get along, go along” Republican who will not, if past and present are prolog, rock the Republican boat on “equal means equal”.
Innes’ loss is bad news all around.
With respect to Richard Tisei, I’m disappointed that pro-equality Republicans (including IGF) are apparently throwing in the towel. I understand that his district is strongly Democratic, and that with John Tierney out of the way Tisei’s battle is now an uphill fight.
But to my mind that is no reason to throw in the towel. Democratic gays and lesbians made the gains we did by fighting, fighting and fighting some more, even when we knew that the odds were against us. The task of turning the Republican Party will not be easy, and pro-equality Republicans are going to have to fight the uphill battles as well as the easy one if they expect to make headway.
posted by tom Jefferson 3rd on
If a candidate doesn’t fill out the paperwork, why should the interest group consider giving said candidate their support?
I came see that maybe the paperwork was far too complicated for said candidate….but their was no such argument made by the candidate.
Isn’t this sort of like wanting to run for public office, but car be bother to file the paperwork…..
posted by Shadow Chaser on
In addition, Massachusetts Democrats nominated gay candidates for Lieutenant Governor and for Attorney General. Connecticut has an openly gay State Auditor, while Wisconsin elected an out lesbian as its US Senator. Maine COULD POSSIBLY elect a gay man as Governor.
Gay Democratic politicians have moved out of the state legislatures (often representing very gay-friendly districts) into Mayors’ Offices in major cities as well as the halls of the U.S. Congress. Gay Democrats are winning election to state wide offices.
As for gay Republicans, hey, being the District Attorney of San Diego County ain’t bad … or Mayor of Atlantic City … or …