October 26, 2011 10:25 PM UTC

GLBT Incumbents, Institutional Players Back Kerr

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• by: Colorado Pols

Worth noting, as FOX 31’s Eli Stokols reports:

Colorado’s most prominent gay and lesbian lawmakers and lobbyists are rallying around state Rep. Andy Kerr just weeks after a gay veteran announced that he’d be launching a primary challenge for Kerr’s seat next year.

Brian Carroll, a Army veteran who did two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, drew headlines earlier this month when he became the first openly gay soldier to announce a campaign for elected office following the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

But, Carroll’s decision to run as a Democrat in House District 28 is also a direct challenge to Kerr, D-Lakewood, one of the strongest advocates for GLBT equality at the Capitol…

On Nov. 9, state Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, will host a fundraiser for Kerr at his Denver home along with more than a dozen other gay and lesbian lawmakers and lobbyists.

That fundraiser’s host list really does read like a who’s who of the GLBT advocacy community here in Colorado–more or less every gay or lesbian incumbent officeholder in the state, and also powerbrokers like Ted Trimpa, and Bobby Clark of the Gill Foundation. As we understand it, rallying of support for Rep. Andy Kerr is not meant to discourage upstart primary opponent Brian Carroll from getting involved in politics in the long term: Stokols reports that Carroll was offered broad support, if he would simply be willing to wait for Rep. Kerr to be term limited from running–the election after next. Kerr has been a reliable advocate for GLBT rights and interests, and there’s just no reason to depose him one term away from his limit.

Perhaps this show of support will foster a climate wherein the situation can work itself out.