Socially conservative Florida U.S. Senate candidate’s campaign gains traction
Pundits may have originally viewed former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate campaign against Gov. Charlie Crist as a long-shot, but a growing list of endorsements from the Family Research Council and other far-right organizations has caused the social conservative Republican to gain traction and even media attention.
The increasingly conservative tone of the race toward the seat's Republican primary is of particular interest to LGBT Floridians as they anticipate future battles over the state's gay adoption ban--in addition to many battles expected to take place on the U.S. Senate floor in the coming years.
Equality Florida public policy director Mallory Wells admitted both Rubio and Crist have "not been so willing to talk" with her organization on LGBT issues, particularly compared to likely Democrat challenger Kendrick Meek. She did reference, however, key distinctions between the Republican candidates' stances on LGBT-specific issues.
Wells noted Crist supported an LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying bill as state attorney general, and only spoke out in favor of the state's ban on marriage for gays and lesbians--Amendment 2--days before voters approved it last November. Additionally, the governor's support of the adoption ban only came under pressure from conservative groups.
Conversely, Rubio has been lauded by the Pat Robinson-founded Christian Coalition of America for a nearly 100 percent score on their annual "scorecard." And former executive director Dennis Baxley has actively endorsed the candidate. In addition to his outspoken support of the marriage ban and opposition to LGBT-friendly legislation, Rubio also opposes abortion.
"[Rubio] has been a true friend of the family and the culture of life as a state legislator in Florida,"FRC president Tony Perkins said in his organization's endorsement. "Senators who will fight to defend the family against the radical leadership in the Senate are crucial to the future of our country."
Charles T. Moran, national spokesperson for the Log Cabin Republicans, noted both Rubio and Crist "have room to improve their votes and views on core issues of equality and freedom" for LGBT Americans, and many members supported one or the either. He added both have engaged with the organization. And Moran added Log Cabin will approach either Crist or Rubio on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act once voters go to the polls next year.
"We are confident either of these candidates will run a strong, dedicated and successful campaign to keep this seat for the Republicans," Moran said. "[We] will continue to educate all Floridians about our conservative credentials .. and how [these issues] are key to preserving states-rights, promoting a strong economy and protecting individual freedoms - all core Republican values."
Stephen Gaskill, communications director for the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, analyzed the race as a case of one socially conservative candidate replacing another, regardless of the primary's outcome.
"Rubio's entrance and success in this race has been driving Crist to the right, and the Republican primary is probably going to be nastier than people expected," he said. "Ultimately, if Rubio or even Crist wins, nothing changes. I don't think there's good news there for the LGBT community in Florida."
Wells was more hopeful as she looked beyond the Republican primary. She is optimistic that, despite the conservative tone of either of her likely Republican opponents, Meek will stand by his consistently pro-LGBT voting record should he win the nomination and doubted it would hinder his campaign. Wells added she feels the state's public opinion has grown accepting of same-sex domestic partnerships and legalized adoption.
"We've seen that nobody has ever lost an election in Florida for supporting an LGBT issue," Wells shared. "We are now at a place in this state where it's not OK to negatively attack somebody because of their pro-LGBT stance. We've flexed our political muscle and are more visible than ever. This is going to be an important year and Florida is definitely the state to watch in the biggest political shakeup we've seen in decades."