Jackson Eaton Gets Nods From LGBT Community

Democratic candidate Jackson Eaton, who's running for Congress in the Lehigh Valley, on Tuesday received the endorsement of two LGBT organizations - Equality Pennsylvania and the Capitol Region Stonewall Democrats Tuesday.

Steve Dorko of the Capitol Region Stonewall Democrats noted his group endorsed Eaton "because of his support for repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, his support for eliminating LGBT discrimination in U.S. immigration laws, and his commitment to oppose any efforts to remove existing LGBT rights”.

Adrian Shanker, President of Equality Pennsylvania, stated Eaton will be a "strong advocate for full equality for all Pennsylvanians”.

“We must continue to fight for full equality for all Pennsylvanians," said Eaton in a news release. "In Congress I pledge to be a champion for the rights of all people in our district."

Eaton is facing Rick Dougherty for the Democratic nomination against Republican incumbent Charlie Dent.

Can A Fighter Pilot Beat Dent?

He better have lots of missiles.

I first became familiar with David Haines when he applied for a Northampton County Council vacancy in 2008. He has an impressive resume. A Naval Academy grad, he served as a fighter pilot, and went on to become a Boeing-777 International Captain for Delta Airlines. He's been a volunteer at the Northampton Food Bank, an assistant soccer coach at Northampton High School and a Deacon at St. John's UCC in Howertown. He's also the Chair at the Airport's super-sized board. And according to some reliable sources, he'll be dog-fighting LV Congressman Charlie Dent next year, seeking a seat in Congress.

I was unable to reach out to Haines today, so this report has to be classified as "rumor" for now, the kind of gossip you can expect from a bottom-feeding blogger.

Although he should thank his lucky stars, Haines was a bit miffed at being passed over for Northampton County Council in favor of Patti Grube, the widow of long-time Council member Wayne Grube. When Patti resigned, Haines penned a scathing letter, withdrawing his name from consideration. According to Haines, Northampton County's legislative body is "more interested in political theatre than in effectively serving the citizens of Northampton County."

So he runs for Congress instead?

No political theatre there.

Haines may be a fighter pilot, but if he's running, he better be ready to eject and have an extra parachute or two. Dent's a formidable opponent who takes no prisoners. Ask Bethlehem Mayor John "Did I Say Tax Cut?" Callahan, Sam "Nonprofit Queen" Bennett, Charles "Don't Call Me Charlie" Dertinger and Joe "Carpetbagger" Driscoll.

So far, only one person, Lehigh County Dem Boss Rich Daugherty, has announced his intention to challenge Dent. He hinted at that in 2009, too, but this time, he really, really means it.