In January I wrote about why I thought openly gay Republican presidential contender Fred Karger’s candidacy is important. At the time, Karger said he was excited about Michigan, where he is on the ballot and hoped to get on the debate stage with the remaining four Republican presidential contenders.
Unfortunately, Wednesday night’s CNN GOP debate in Arizona seems to have usurped the possibility of a debate in Michigan – though Karger said he’s willing to debate any candidate, anywhere, anytime. So, in a state with an open primary, where Democrats can cross-over and vote Republican and where the Democratic caucus will surely approve Obama as their nominee in May – Karger is doing something different: he’s asking Democrats and moderate Republican voters to “send the Republicans a message” and vote for him in the GOP primary next Tuesday, Feb. 28.
And he has a specific strategy, per his email blast to supporters:
Karger’s campaign will undertake a unique Michigan strategy. Under the leadership of State Director, Todd Heywood of Lansing, Karger will put his advertising and outreach emphasis in the 8th Congressional District. Michigan awards three delegates in each of its 14 Congressional Districts to whichever candidate wins that district.
“If we can win one district, then we can walk away with at least three delegates.” said Karger. “As a first-time candidate who has not been allowed in one national debate, it’s an uphill battle to get known, so we will be blitzing Ingham, Livingston and Oakland Counties, which make up the new 8th district. We worked hard in New Hampshire and we were able to beat Michele Bachmann by 135 votes in that state’s Primary.”
In the commercial, Karger offers himself up as the moderate alternative to Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Karger is described as having the best jobs plan, is pro-choice, supports gay marriage and wants our troops out of Afghanistan now.
Karger is also planning extensive voter contact in the 8th District via phone, direct mail, online ads, facebook ads and other social media platforms.
Here are two campaign spots hitting the Michigan 8th District now:
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