Maine gubernatorial democratic candidate Rep. Mike Michaud came out to the public as gay in an op-ed piece sent to the Portland Press Herald and Bangor Daily News, . After being confronted with what he described as "whisper campaigns, insinuations and push polls," he stated "Yes I am [gay]. But why should it matter?"
The 2014 elections are almost a year away, but Mr. Michaud's anouncement brings him into the spotlight. There are six other openly gay members of the U.S. House, and eight openly gay members of Congress according to NBC News, but if elected Mr. Michaud will be the first governor that is elected as an openly gay man.
"Once I jumped to an early lead in the polls, I knew it was only a matter of time before individuals and organizations intent on re-creating the uncertainty that led to our current governor's election three years ago would start their attacks," wrote Mr. Michaud.
Gov. Jim McGreevey of New Jersey was the first openly gay governor. The democrat came out in 2004 while he was already in office. There have been openly candidates in the past, but none have been able to get the votes necessary to become a governor of the U.S.
"I don't plan to make my personal life or my opponents' personal lives an issue in this campaign. We've had enough negativity in our politics and too many personal attacks over the last few years. We owe it to the people of Maine to focus on how we get our state back on track," wrote Mr. Michaud.
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