In unofficial results released today, it appears openly gay Republican State Representative Mike Fleck has lost the primary election to write-in candidate Rich Irvin by fewer than 300 votes. It was Fleck's first election since he came out as gay in 2012. Before that, Fleck had been reelected three times with no opponent.
While some say they oppose Fleck for not being “conservative enough,” Fleck says the election wasn’t about his stance on political issues.
"The race certainly came down to me being gay, and there’s no denying that at the end of the day," he says.
Fleck's opponent, Rich Irvin, says he's made it clear he's campaigned for the seat based on issues, not against Fleck because of his sexual orientation.
And while Fleck lost the Republican ticket, it appears he won the Democratic nomination by write-in vote. That means he'll still be on the ballot in November.
Fleck says he sees the irony that Pennsylvania became the 19th state to recognize gay marriage last Tuesday —the same day he lost the primary elections.
