The first ads of the 2012 Republican nomination for president are going up in Iowa this week. But they aren’t for Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee or Tim Pawlenty.
They’re for Fred Karger, someone you’ve likely never heard of. The openly-gay Republican operative and activist says he’s exploring a run for president in 2012.
Beginning Tuesday, and ending about a week later on Nov. 29, Karger’s 90 second “Independence Day” spot will be broadcast throughout the state on Fox News, according to a release from his campaign, and perhaps other channels, according to a spokesman.
Reached by phone, spokesman Nathan Treloar said he couldn’t immediately disclose the amount of the ad buy or say exactly where the funds came from to finance it, though he said he thinks most came from money raised by the committee.
If he decides to run for president, Karger notes on his website, he would be the first openly gay candidate to run for the White House.