A Republican seeking congressional office and touting a reform agenda has just made history by becoming the first politician on the campaign trail to bring his gay partner to the forefront, with an advertising film.
“I don’t see it as such a big deal,” said openly gay Carl DeMaio, of his campaign ad for California office that shows him holding hands with his gay partner, in The Daily Mail. He downplayed the ad further, saying that it’s not really different from other politician hopefuls who show their “spouse, their children, their household pets” in their ads, the newspaper said.
In the ad, Mr. DeMaio and his partner are seen draped in a rainbow flag, while an off-camera voice says: “He believes in equality and diversity and is a defender of our personal freedoms.”
He took to Facebook to announce his shock at the media coverage his ad’s received.
“WOW — The national news coverage of our ’New Generation Republican’ video has resulted in an AMAZING outpouring of support in the last 24 hours. I’m so very grateful for the warm and positive thoughts — and I know that we speak for thousands who wish to see a ’new generation’ have the change to transform politics. I know we can do this!!”
Mr. DeMaio is challenging Democrat incumbent Scott Peters for the seat in Southern California, in this November’s election. Mr. DeMaio, a former city councilman, previously challenged Democrat Bob Filner — who resigned his office in disgrace, facing legal challenge over sexual harassment allegations — in the 2012 mayoral race in San Diego.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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