Flaherty campaign bolstered by major endorsements
Wed, Mar 26th 2008, 14:00
With a looming April 1 general election, Milwaukee Common Council candidate Patrick Flaherty received a boost from the endorsements of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Shepherd Express.
The Journal Sentinel wrote: "His track record as a consensus-builder offers the most potential in a district with so many politically involved and sometimes contentious interests. Flaherty's many endorsements from elected officials and unions stem from his experience in bringing about governmental policy changes, and they speak directly to his ability to get things done."
Meanwhile, the Shepherd Express wrote: "Flaherty has an impressive history of
working as a leader on issues important to the Third District and the city in
general. Flaherty has successfully run nonprofits; we trust him to make sound
economic and financial decisions for the city. We believe that he would fight
for the best interests of all of his constituents—not just the ones who make the
most noise at meetings.
"What’s more, Flaherty has run a positive,
honest, professional campaign, and that is refreshing. Third District voters
have an easy choice in this race: It’s Flaherty."
In other news, Wisconsin’s own version of Fred Phelps has begun attacking Flaherty. Pilgrim’s Covenant Church, headed by Ralph Ovadahl, started dropping hate-filled literature in key areas. The pamphlets are only being dropped off in the precincts within Flaherty’s district that have the highest voter turnout.
While the literature doesn’t mention him specifically, the anti-gay activists engaged in similar tactics with openly gay state Sen. Tim Carpenter when he ran his campaign.
The literature reads, in part:
Q: I am against the “special rights” homosexuals demand, but I do not believe that homosexuals should be discriminated against. Isn’t that a proper stand on this issue?
A: No. If citizens are not allowed to discriminate in any way with regard to out-of-the-closet homosexuals, then there is no basis for denying those involved in sexual perversion the right to adopt and teach children, marry one another, be policemen or medics, serve in the armed forces, be elected officials and judges, work for you and rent from you. It is because of the no-special-rights approach that we now have open homosexuals involved in many activities from which they should have been banned, and principled property owners and businessmen are required by law in many states to rent to and employ persons of low moral character engaged in immoral conduct which flies in the face of the deepest beliefs of the landlords and employers.
Flaherty served as the director of community relations for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Milwaukee and helped organize Milwaukee’s efforts to defeat the anti-gay marriage amendment. He has been endorsed by the Milwaukee Labor Council, AFSCME, and the LGBT Center Advocates PAC, Wisconsin’s only LGBT political action committee.
To contribute to Patrick’s campaign, click here.
