Gay Democrats Stage Replay Of The Out-Of-Towners

Well local gay Democrats are at it again. For the 2^nd time in less than 2 months, they are staging a fundraiser for Congressman Mark Takano who hails from Riverside. The invite list for the bash for cash, taking place this Sunday at Lulu's Bistro read like a Who's Who of local Gay Democratic officials.

I personally like Mark Takano who is an openly gay man, first elected to Congress in 2012 in the 41^st district. He faces opposition this year in Riverside councilman Steve Adams who is considered to be no real threat . This fundraiser is obviously a gay pride issue and while there is a lot to be said about that, it must be troubling for local Democrats to see that local resources are being spent on out of district candidates.

This is not just problem for local Democrats. National GOPers use the Coachella Valley as a political ATM machine during the Presidential years as well. Plus we have also seen some fundraisers for out of state GOPers take place here.

While all this is legal and in many cases understandable, I wonder what the reaction of Riverside Democrats would be if Raul Ruiz threw a fundraiser there?

Palm Springs specifically, the gay mecca of the Valley is on the verge due to redistricting of being represented by ultra conservative GOPers in both the Assembly and State Senate. Perhaps funds should be diverted to building up a local bench rather than given to an out of district Congressman assured of winning.

Steve Kelly is heard weekdays from 4 to 6 PM on 1450 KPTR Palm Springs.