Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin—aiming to be the first out gay U.S. senator ever—will face former four-term Wis. Gov. Tommy Thompson in November after he won a GOP primary Aug. 14.
Thompson defeated three other candidates: hedge-fund manager Eric Hovde, former state Congressman Mark Neumann and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, an ally of Gov. Scott Walker, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Thompson had been known in the past for working with Democrats but he took a more conservative turn during this campaign. Among his backers were onetime presidential candidate Herman Cain, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and conservative musician Ted Nugent.
LPAC, a super PAC formed by several lesbians, announced that Baldwin would be the first person to receive the group's support, Advocate.com reported. Baldwin, a seven-term Democratic congresswoman, could become the first openly gay person elected to the Senate. An advisory board of eight women, including Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts and activist Urvashi Vaid, launched LPAC in July.
According to the Washington Blade, Thompson told a Wisconsin media outlet, "I believe very strongly in the Defense of the Marriage Act." However, he stopped short of endorsing a federal marriage amendment for the U.S. Constitution. During a 2008 GOP presidential debate, Thompson said "yes" when asked if employers should be able fire people on the basis of sexual oriention; however, he later said he answered the question incorrectly and doesn't believe in discrimination.
LGBT victories
In the fight for what will be Baldwin's former seat, openly gay state Rep. Mark Pocan won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District Aug. 14, besting three challengers, including fellow state Rep. Kelda Helen Roys. according to PostCrescent.com . He will now face Republican Chad Lee in November.
In a statement, Chuck Wolfe, the president/CEO of the pro-LGBT Victory Fund, said, "We're extremely proud of Mark. He'll be an outstanding representative for Wisconsin, and a courageous and unyielding voice for LGBT Americans everywhere—just like his predecessor in this House seat, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin."
The Victory Fund also stated that Florida saw David Richardson win his Democratic primary to become the first openly LGBT candidate elected to the state legislature. Richardson was elected to the Florida House in District 113, representing Miami Beach, according to the Miami Herald. (No Republican is running, guaranteeing Richardson's historic win.)
In addition, Joe Saunders, an out Democrat who also won his primary Aug. 14 and will go on to the general election in the fall, could join Richardson in Tallahassee in the Florida House. Saunders, 28, will face Republican Marco Pena in November after he defeated Shayan Elahi, according to the Washington Blade.
Key West Innskeepers President Ian Whitney could become Florida's third gay state legislator if voters elect him to represent House District 120 in November.
