Mon. December 28, 2009
Chicago, IL -
A political advertisement run by Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin suggests that Mark Kirk (R-IL), currently Illinois 10th district Congressman and also a Senate candidate, is gay.
In a transcript of his advertisement published on www.WBBM780.com, Martin says: "Today, I am fighting for the facts about Mark Kirk. Illinois Republican leader Jack Roeser says there is a, "solid rumor that Kirk is a homosexual." Roeser suggests that Kirk is part of a Republican Party homosexual club. Lake County Illinois Republican leader Ray True says Kirk has surrounded himself with homosexuals."
The ad was paid for by Illinois Republicans for Andy Martin.
Roeser is the founder and President of the Family Taxpayers Foundation and an Illinois political activist and business entrepreneur.
"The ad is not true and is degrading to the political process. The people of Illinois deserve better." stated Eric Elk, campaign manager for Kirk, in a written statement.
Particularly damning to Kirk is the possibility of a Navy investigation as to his sexual orientation. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT) allows for a military inquiry to begin with no substantive evidence being offered. Were the allegations determined to be true, Kirk, an intelligence officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, could be discharged if charges are substantiated. He is current under deployment and unavailable for comment.
Kirk's campaign website, www.kirkforsenate.com, makes no reference to any LGBT issues. He is seen as a political moderate.
Kirk was divorced this past summer. His ex-wife, Kimberly, has endorsed his campaign.
Pat Brady, the head of the Illinois Republican Party, has said the party will no longer recognize Andy Martin as a legitimate Republican candidate.
Senate Democratic candidate Jacob Meister spoke with ChicagoPride.com this afternoon. In a statement, Meister calls the ad an "insidious attack" on the sexuality of Mark Kirk. "The use of sexual orientation in this race, whether overt or by innuendo can no longer be tolerated," said Meister. "Mr. Martin's statements are clear attempts to use sexual orientation as a political weapon and are criminal in their perpetuation of ignorance and prejudice."
Meister added "perhaps if one of their own (a sitting congressman) were to become the subject of a military tribunal and discharge Congress will look at DADT differently."
A call made this afternoon to Kirk's campaign office for further comment was not returned.
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