movieguy Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 Anti-Gay Santorum Faces Challenge Within GOP by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff Posted: August 18, 2005 8:00 am ET (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) A pro-gay Philadelphia real-estate broker says he plans to challenge U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) in the 2006 Republican primary. Santorum has been one of the most outspoken supporters of a federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In June a coalition of LGBT rights groups announced the formation of a new organization designed to defeat Santorum. (story) It also emerged this summer that Robert Traynham, the senator's the chief of staff and communications director, is gay. (story) Santorum has a long history of homophobia. In 2003 following the Supreme Court ruling striking down sodomy laws Santorum compared homosexuality with incest, polygamy and adultery (story). A challenge to Santorum within his own party came as a surprise to many in the GOP. John Featherman, 41, who supports abortion rights, gay marriage and a flat tax, said he wants to offer moderate Republicans an alternative to the conservative Santorum, a two-term incumbent. "I'm running for the nomination fully aware of the odds," Featherman said. "I believe Santorum needs a challenge." As the Libertarian Party's nominee in 2000, Featherman got just under 48,000 votes in a race against Santorum, Democrat Ron Klink and two other candidates. Featherman also ran unsuccessfully for Congress in a special election in 1998. "I commend anybody willing to put their name on the ballot, but we are not finding any weakness in support in the party for Rick Santorum," said John Brabender, a media consultant to Santorum's campaign. The 2006 Senate race in Pennsylvania has emerged as a focal point of both national parties and is expected to draw millions of dollars in political spending. Democratic officials have lined up behind state Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr., who has served two four-year terms as state auditor general. Also challenging Casey for the Democratic nomination are Chuck Pennacchio, a University of the Arts professor, and Philadelphia pension lawyer Alan Sandals. ©365Gay.com 2005 with files from the Associated Press links Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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