S Carolina's 1st openly gay lawmaker from deep-red district

[TomSea]

S Carolina's 1st openly gay lawmaker from deep-red district
By SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's first openly gay legislator hails from the unlikeliest of places: an ultra-conservative part of the state that is home to the Christian fundamentalist school Bob Jones University.

Republican Rep. Jason Elliott, a 46-year-old divorce attorney, said his sexual orientation was not an issue in his campaign and is irrelevant to his job at the Statehouse, as his focus will be on improving education, increasing jobs and repairing the state's crumbling roads and bridges. He expects his votes to align with his GOP colleagues.

"Every South Carolinian has equal rights, not special rights, and I believe each part of the constitution is equally important," he said. "In South Carolina, that means respecting other people's viewpoints and protecting religious freedom."

Elliott ousted four-term GOP incumbent Rep. Wendy Nanney, a Bob Jones graduate and daughter of the university's longtime academic dean.

Deeply Republican South Carolina is now the 43rd state to have an openly gay legislator. Elliott does not view his election as particularly significant.

Continued: http://www.newschannel6now.com/story/34426022/s-carolinas-1st-openly-gay-lawmaker-from-deep-red-district

[endicom]

Ah always had mah suspects 'bout them people.

[dfwgator]

I thought this would be about Lindsey Graham.

[mountaineer]

Who cares about his sex life as long as he doesn't violate the law and represents his constituents well.

[andy58-in-nh]

Who cares about his sex life as long as he doesn't violate the law and represents his constituents well.