Fort Lauderdale elects first openly gay commissioner

Voters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., elected the city's first openly gay commissioner, Dean Trantalis, in a race that is being described as a nail-biter, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Trantalis beat opponent Jon Albee by just 35 votes. Their race was the most expensive of the city campaigns, with the two of them raising about $151,000. That Trantalis ran as an openly gay candidate hit home with a number of Fort Lauderdale residents. "He was supportive of gay rights and domestic partnership," said Scott Whitman. "That was really important to me. Being a gay man, I think we'll have representation."