Daniel Smith Jr., an openly gay candidate, is running against homophobic PA state Rep. Metcalfe
Daniel Smith Jr. is a Butler County native and longtime resident, who grew up in Zelienople and now lives in Adams Township with his husband, Don. He has been paying close attention to his state representative, Daryl Metcalfe (R-Cranberry), for years. Smith has grown frustrated as Metcalfe has continually focused on bombastic and divisive issues, such as opposing same-sex marriage and attacking immigrants’ rights. Over the years, Smith felt that with every controversial Metcalfe issue that made headlines, Pennsylvania’s 12th House District suffered from being cast in a negative light.
Then a video was released in December 2017 of Metcalfe freaking out when his colleague, state Rep.Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery), touched him on the elbow during a committee meeting on land use. Metcalfe exclaimed, “I am heterosexual. I love my wife, I don’t like men, as you might. Stop touching me all the time.” The video went viral and was mocked on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Late Night with Stephen Colbert.
“The moment he had at the committee meeting, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” says Smith. “Yes, what [Metcalfe] said pissed me off. But I saw the rest of the representatives in the meeting shake their heads. And I was thinking, ‘How does a district keep voting for this person?’ Then I thought, I needed to do something.”
Smith, who says he has been mulling a run against Metcalfe for years, finally decided it was time to do so. He is running as a Democrat; he has been a registered Republican for years, and has voted for Democrats and Republicans in the past. Smith believes voters in the area, who largely support Republicans, are ready for a change, regardless of party.
Read more: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/PolitiCrap/archives/2018/01/19/daniel-smith-jr-an-openly-gay-candidate-is-running-against-homophobic-pennsylvania-state-rep-daryl-metcalfe
I would prefer to see a candidate that is a lifelong Democrat rather than someone who uses the party label as an opportunist. However, I think almost anyone is better than Metcalfe.
= new reply since forum marked as read
It would be TREACHEROUS for a candidate to temporarlily become a Democrat ONLY for the election, and then switch back after the election was over.
I have to be honest with you, that kind of duplicity would be beneath contempt. Anyone who would do such a thing wouldn't be deserving of my support (or the support of any self-respecting Democrat.)
I wish him luck in his campaign and I hope he defeats the Republican.
