News

Greer Defeated in Wisconsin

Another Gay Basher Defeated in GOP Primary -- Dobson and Bauer Continue Long Losing Streak with GOP Base Voters

September 9, 1998

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The two most prominent leaders of the extreme right were dealt another serious defeat in yesterday's Wisconsin Congressional primary when their candidate, anti-gay minister Ron Greer, was defeated by self-described "Big Tent Republican" Josephine Musser, former state Insurance Commissioner.

Greer ran on a platform of bashing gays, and received a high-profile endorsement from James Dobson, head of the anti-gay Focus on the Family, and Gary Bauer, head of the anti-gay Family Research Council. Dobson and Bauer's Campaign for Working Families PAC supported Greer, as did Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Reggie White, who attacked gays in a highly publicized speech before the Wisconsin legislature earlier this year.

Musser defeated Greer and four other Republicans in yesterday's primary after running a campaign which emphasized fiscal conservatism and an inclusive Republican Party. The election in the Madison district will decide the successor to retiring Congressman Scott Klug (R), who supports gay rights.

"This defeat is yet another sign that James Dobson and Gary Bauer have no credibility when they claim to speak for the Republican base," said Richard Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans. "In race after race, Republican base voters have turned out and defeated nearly every candidate they have bankrolled this year. In Illinois, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Utah, California and now Wisconsin, week after week their candidates have gone down in flames. It's time for the leadership to stop dividing Republicans by pandering to these men and start uniting the Republican Party around core principles and a positive conservative agenda."