GOP Rep. David Schweikert's desperate ad calling opponent gay blows up right in his face

[Behind the Aegis]

We’re not sure which is a worse look for a politician–inventing baseless rumors about your opponent’s sexuality, or arguing that anyone who isn’t straight is unfit for public office. They’re both repugnant.

But the moves are both favorites in Arizona state Rep. David Schweikert’s playbook, only this time they seem to be backfiring.

The six-term Republican Congress member and his campaign allies were sued this week by a man featured in their ads implying Schweikert’s primary opponent, Elijah Norton, is gay and therefore unqualified.

Leslie Hammon was more than a bit surprised when a photo of him and Norton popped up in a mailer Schweikert sent out to voters. The image shows Norton and Hammon arm-in-arm, looking into the camera. It’s captioned: “Elijah Norton Isn’t Being Straight With You”. Schweikert’s team is using the same ad online.

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And yet, Elijah Norton, is still running as a Republican! Homophobia is wrong...always. But, when you see it being used against someone who is running in a party for which it is a platform, I find myself thinking, "Oh well, I have more important homophobia to attend to."