Mike Gin.Redondo Beach Redondo Beach (rĭdŏn`dō), city (1990 pop. 60,167), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1892. Once a commercial port for Los Angeles, it is a residential and resort city with a protected harbor and an excellent marina. , Calif., mayor-elect Mike Gin knows a thing or two about having mud slung at you. In the final days before a May 17 runoff election, a far-right political action committee mailed a flier to 6,000 homes accusing Gin, a Republican, of being a "liberal" with a "hidden agenda"--a reference to the fact that Gin, who's gay, received about $3,000 from the Washington, D.C.-based Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and contributions from the Log Cabin Republicans The Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) is a federated gay and lesbian political organization in the United States with state chapters and a national office in Washington, D.C. The group consists of gays and lesbians who are supporters of the Republican Party. of California. Gin went on to win with more than 60% of the vote. The Advocate spoke to Gin, 42, a former aerospace computer scientist and Redondo Beach city councilman, about his win. To what do you attribute your victory? My supporters, volunteers, advisers, campaign manager--and my partner [of 10 years], Christopher Kreidel. What do you think the people of Redondo Beach value in a leader? Someone who will listen to their concerns [and give them] a voice in local affairs. Hew did you reach out to those voters? I started walking door-to-door last July. It was a goal of mine to walk the entire city. I figured I would treat this position like I was interviewing for a job, and it was important to make personal contact with the people I'd be working for. What was your first reaction to the mailer? Frankly, I was shocked and hurt a little. I was really disappointed the campaign had turned down that road. Who advised you about how to respond? My campaign manager, Jonathan Eubanks, felt it would backfire on my opponent [who is also a Republican]. I run positive campaigns about issues that people in my community really care about. For me, my sexual orientation sexual orientation n. The direction of one's sexual interest toward members of the same, opposite, or both sexes, especially a direction seen to be dictated by physiologic rather than sociologic forces. wasn't an issue in this campaign. As a Republican, how does it feel to be called "liberal"? I look at myself as a progressive person but also very fiscally conservative in terms of government spending Government spending or government expenditure consists of government purchases, which can be financed by seigniorage, taxes, or government borrowing. It is considered to be one of the major components of gross domestic product. . So I really consider myself moderate. Log Cabin log cabin or log house, style of home typical of the American pioneer on the Western frontier of the United States in the great westward expansion after 1765. It was constructed with few tools, usually an axe or an adz and an auger. has said it hopes to gain a greater voice in California state politics, How do you think your victory in Redondo Beach affects the state as a whole? I've been surprised and honored by the attention that our little town has received. I just hope that it provides hope to gay, lesbian, and transgendered transgendered adjective Relating to a person who has undergone genital/sexual reassignment surgery Transgender health issues Hormonal therapy, cosmetic surgery, fertility options–eg, egg and sperm banking. See Sexual reassignment. Cf Transsexual. folk to get involved in the political process. --Interview by Ryan James Ryan James may refer to:
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