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Ralph Reed Trounced, Gay Wins In Georgia and Alabama

(Atlanta, Georgia) Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed, a longtime Republican strategist, has been handed a crushing defeat by his own party.

Reed was trounced Tuesday in the Georgia GOP primary for lieutenant governor by State Sen. Casey Cagle. It wasn't his extreme take on the issues that finally did him in - it was his association with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Cagle capitalized on the connection to Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption earlier this year, going so far as to suggest Reed also could face criminal charges.

Elsewhere in the state, Rep. Karla Drenner won her Democratic primary to advance to the general election to retain her seat. Drenner currently is Georgia's only openly gay state legislator.

Allen Thornell advanced to a runoff in his Democratic primary election.

Both were backed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a national organization that helps LGBT candidates get elected.

"Karla's voice in the Georgia legislature is vitally important," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.

"We're working hard both to make sure she stays there and to help elect Allen Thornell to join her," Wolfe said.

If elected, Thornell would be the first openly gay man in the Georgia legislature.

In the Alabama Democratic primary races for the legislature LGBT activist Patricia Todd is poised to become the first openly gay member of the House in that state.

Todd beat Gaynell Hendricks by a slim 59 votes in the House District 54 runoff race in Birmingham. The outcome is expected to be challenged - a process that could take months.

But if she remains in the lead and since there is no Republican challenger for the seat, Todd, 50, will be the state's most openly gay elected official.

The seat became vacant with the retirement of Rep. George Perdue (D-Birmingham)

Todd is associate director of AIDS Alabama. During the campaign she said being gay was not a part of her campaign, nor was the fact that she is white and was seeking election in a majority black district.

Todd also was supported by the Victory Fund.

"The road to equality in Alabama is a mile shorter today," said Wolfe.

"Gays and lesbians in Alabama will now have what all Americans deserve - a voice and a vote. Alabama knows well what a single voice can accomplish. We applaud Patricia's courage in stepping up to be heard," Wolfe said.

©365Gay.com 2006

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