Gay Republican Airs 2012 Ad in Iowa

Fred Karger, a gay Republican and former consultant to President Ronald Reagan, is running an ad in Iowa to generate support for a potential 2012 presidential bid.

The first presidential ad to run in Iowa, home of the all-important first caucuses, the 90-second spot positions Karger as an independent-minded Republican, according to CBS News. The network cited The Atlantic, which reported that his ad would air twice a day on Fox News for one week throughout the state as the candidate seeks to raise $5 million.

Known for his work to disclose Proposition 8 donors through his group Californians against hate, Karger has acknowledged the difficulties he may face as a gay Republican, reports CBS News.

"As I look at the Republican Party membership here (in Iowa) and I've seen polls, you know, 80 percent self-identify evangelical, and I don't know how open they are initially to an openly gay candidate if I do decide to run," he said.