For those in the GLBT community in the 7th Congressional District who plan to vote in the Republican primary in Tuesday's election, there is only one good choice for Congress and that is Eric Dickerson. The successful automobile dealer is running against Ron Franklin, a disgraced former city-county councilor.
The Marion Co. GOP slated Franklin to challenge Rep. Julia Carson (D) in this November's election despite his prior conviction for firing a gun a truckload of people and two prior arrests for drug possession. As we previously reported, Franklin is no friend of the GLBT community. In a recorded interview disclosed by radio talk show host Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, Franklin said the Indianapolis city county council was wrong to pass the human rights ordinance, and he said marriage should be between a man and a woman. Franklin also said that "he like[d] it better when they [gays] kept it in the closet."
Dickerson has not exactly come out in favor of gay civil rights, although some views expressed on his website offer some hope. He writes on his website, "While life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness became a cornerstone of Jefferson's famous declaration, they are not guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of rights." He adds, "Lawmakers must protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Dickerson says he "pledges to do just that if elected to Congress."
Many may wonder why it makes any difference who the Republicans nominate because Rep. Carson is heavily favored to win re-election. That, of course, assumes Rep. Carson will be the candidate in November. There continues to be a lot of speculation that Carson may step down before the November election, allowing local Democratic leaders to select a candidate to run in her place. Because we have no idea who that person would be, it is extremely important that voters have a good alternative. Dickerson provides an alternative to that unknown Carson replacement; Ron Franklin does not.
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