Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack is bringing in the big guns in an effort to stave off a challenge from Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who is openly gay. The Press-Enterprise reported former Massachusetts governor and probable presidential candidate Mitt Romney headlined a $500 per ticket fundraiser for her Saturday night in her district.
Bono-Mack was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign in previous races, but did not earn its endorsement in 2008. HRC’s scorecard rated her record on LGBT issues between 55 and 75 over the past three congresses. Bringing in Romney will likely not endear her any further to the district’s gay community. Once considered a moderate on LGBT issues, Romney took a hard right turn during the 2008 presidential primary race, angering the Log Cabin Republicans so much they developed an anti-Romney television ad that highlighted his political flip-flops on hot-button issues.
Pougnet, who is endorsed by the Victory Fund, would be the first openly gay parent in Congress.
