McCain supports gay congressional candidate

Richter Elser, an openly gay GOP candidate to represent Connecticut in the U.S. House of Representatives, received a political boost late last week from a well-known national Republican. Sen. John McCain of Arizona sent a fund-raising letter to Elser supporters, urging them to contribute to Elser's campaign for Connecticut's third congressional district seat.

"Richter Elser is the kind of Republican we need in Congress," McCain wrote. "He is no-nonsense and willing to work with both sides of the aisle to solve the serious problems our nation faces." McCain reminded supporters of his 2000 presidential primary victory in Connecticut and spoke of how the Republican Party needs to pay attention to new ideas and listen to new voices. "Our party's strength, like our country's strength, comes from inclusion, not exclusion," McCain added. Elser is running against Democratic incumbent Rosa DeLauro.