Beleaguered Pinal County Sheriff Paul
Babeu is getting some help from his gay Republican colleagues.
The 43-year-old Babeu in February
acknowledged that he is gay in the course of denying charges made by
his former boyfriend, Jose Orozco, that Babeu threatened to have him
deported if he discussed their relationship. Orozo has since filed a
$1 million lawsuit.
The allegations and lawsuit threaten to
derail Babeu's campaign for Arizona's 4th Congressional
District, considered to be the state's most socially conservative.
Former Congressman Jim Kolbe, who is
openly gay, on Tuesday will host a fundraising reception for Babeu in
his District of Columbia home. Also playing host is R. Clarke
Cooper, executive director of gay group Log Cabin Republicans.
Suggested donations are $250 for young professionals, $500 for
individuals and $1,000 for PACs.
“Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu is a
rising star in conservative politics,” reads
the invitation.
The invite also lists Babeu as a member
of Log Cabin Republicans. In an earlier interview with CNN anchor
Wolf Blitzer, Babeu said he would consider joining the group.
“Simply by being who we are –
unapologetically pro-gay and unapologetically conservative – Log
Cabin Republicans like Sheriff Babeu are helping to secure the
freedoms American stands for, and that's something we can all be
proud of.”
The fundraiser comes just days after
the Phoenix
New Times reported that contributions to Babeu's campaign had
gone from a stream to a trickle since the scandal made national
headlines.