Midterms: Gay Rights Take Back Seat

Health care, the federal deficit, energy use, and jobs are dominating the agendas of both Republicans and Democrats in key battleground elections this November.

Only 7% of Democrats and 21% of Republicans address gay rights on their campaign websites, according to The New York Times' Five Thirty Eight blog. The report covers the 33 congressional districts the Times labeled as tossup districts.

Five Thirty Eight blogger Nate Silver adds that while gay marriage may be too controversial for some Democrats, those candidates may instead elect to highlight their support of repealing "don't ask, don't tell," a widely agreed-upon stance.