Gay Florida Candidate Gets Aggressive

Justin Flippen, the vice mayor of Wilton Manors, Fla., and the man hoping to be Florida's first openly gay state legislator, accused his opponent of taking money from right-wing groups and asked for her to return the contributions.

Flippen says state representative Gwyn Clarke-Reed, a Democrat like Flippen, is accepting money from antigay groups and individuals, such as  Michigan millionaire Rich DeVos, who has given tens of thousands to Republican interests and is a vocal opponent of marriage equality.

"These donors are the conservative go-to guys," Flippen wrote on his campaign website. "When
right-wing Republicans need cash to attack Democrats, to challenge
choice, to oppose equal rights and progressive values these individuals
pay for it. It is very disturbing that Gwyn would endorse their values
by turning to them to fund her campaign. I demand she give the money
back or be honest enough with voters, endorsers, and District 92
constituents by becoming a Republican.”

Flippen and Clarke-Reed will face off in the Democratic primary August 24.