Like the indefatigable Ron Paul of Texas, Fred Karger — the first openly gay candidate in history to seek the GOP presidential nomination — is still running hard, hoping for a modestly surprising showing in California’s June 5 primary.
Karger, who has barely been a footnote in the 2012 Republican presidential sweepstakes, has been touring his native California in a decorated black van dubbed the “California Express.” He has also been running a handful of ads on cable television stations.
The 62-year-old Karger will lead a group of volunteers in a bagpiper-led walk through San Francisco neighborhoods later today — the second in a series of planned weekend walks throughout the state.
Despite the inevitability of Mitt Romney’s nomination at the party‘s convention in Tampa later this summer, Karger — unlike most of his primary rivals — refuses to call it quits.
“People need a more reasonable, moderate option than Romney and that’s why I am staying in the race, to give them that chance,” said Karger. “I am one of three major contenders left in the race and we’re going to stick it out.”
The June 5 California primary will not be the end of the road for the political consultant-turned-gay activist who has made the issue of marriage equality one of the cornerstones of his quixotic candidacy. Karger will also appear on the June 26 Utah Republican presidential primary ballot.
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