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Koering: My Political Career Is Over 


REP PAUL KOERING X390

After losing his state senate seat in the GOP primary Tuesday, Minnesota's Paul Koering says he’s leaving the Republican Party and his political career is over.

"The party that I’ve called home for 14 years has kind of, in essence, went off the cliff,” Koering said. “I always tried to stay with the party to hopefully be a voice of reason within the party. But I found through this campaign that that doesn’t work anymore.”

The Republican Party helped elect former state representative Paul Gazelka. Gazelka defeated Koering with 56.8% to 43.2% of the vote.

The race between Koering and Gazelka was notable for its focus on Koering’s personal life. In June, Koering made headlines for going on a dinner date with 20-year-old gay porn actor Brandon Wilde (left).

Minnesota Republican Party chair Tony Sutton released a statement slamming Koering following the dinner date.

"Instead of focusing his efforts on job creation and the betterment of Senate District 12, Paul Koering has demonstrated incredibly poor judgment by spending time with an escort and pornographic film star," Sutton said. "With his campaign message of lower taxes, sensible government and economic development, Paul Gazelka is the right leader for Senate District 12, and the Republican Party of Minnesota stands united behind his candidacy."

On Wednesday, Koering threw his support behind Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Taylor Stevenson.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Geoff
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 6:00:51 PM
    Hometown: Columbus, GA

    Comment:

    Stupid, stupid. He MIGHT have gotten away with that kind of blatant in your face I'm-a-senator-you-can't-touch-me attitude in France... maybe...

  • Name: DOUG
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 12:27:00 PM
    Hometown: VB

    Comment:

    I think he wanted to lose- how the hell could he think openly dating a gay porn star would cost him votes- even if he was a democrat- please!

  • Name: d
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 8:57:50 AM
    Hometown: raleigh

    Comment:

    Mark, beautiful statement!

  • Name: michaelandfred
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 8:45:07 AM
    Hometown: miami beach

    Comment:

    Very funny Greg!! :-) My first laugh of the day. Thanks

  • Name: Greg
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 8:22:06 AM
    Hometown: Providence

    Comment:

    Maybe he can become a "porn entrepeneur" and an Advocate columnist. How's his record of anti-Muslim hysteria? :)

  • Name: Rob
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 8:00:47 AM
    Hometown: NH

    Comment:

    Sketchy article so, despite the porn actor date, I still have no idea if he's officially out. If not then come out and join us! If out then join us anyway. Giving up seems like the biggest waste of all. I'd much rather have this guy solidly on our side pushing for our rights. The Republican Taliban purge of gays and moderates continues. It's really obscene.

  • Name: BobNYC
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 6:35:32 AM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    Bye Bye Hypocrite! You took strong stands against equal rights for gay people like you. Glad you were caught (almost) with your pants down. But to your credit, you didn't try to convince everybody the porn star was just there to "lift your luggage."

  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 4:03:11 AM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    I hope he at least got Brandon in the sack!

  • Name: Sean
    Date posted: 8/12/2010 1:21:42 AM
    Hometown: Belltran

    Comment:

    It's funny that Koering, just like Log Cabin and GOProud, tried to bs that the Republican Party is the true force for glbt equality and justice. Then he stumbles across a few little hurdles and suddenly gives up politics all together. This is why cowards like him have never accomplished the few rights glbt people currently have. And the real heroes have always been the drag queens, hippy scum, and fem queers that frauds like Koering always demonize. What a waste.

  • Name: TampaZeke
    Date posted: 8/11/2010 11:19:53 PM
    Hometown: Tampa

    Comment:

    Yeah, THIS from the man who said that not only would he not promote marriage equality for gay couples, he WOULDN'T EVEN VOTE FOR IT if it were to come to the floor for a vote! He's repeated all the Log Cabin excuses for being a Republican at ever turn. Now he loses an election and he's taking his ball and going home. He was a loser before. He's an even bigger loser now.



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