Several Democratic lawmakers attempted to pass a bill to tighten Georgia’s anti-bullying law this year. But Jacobs, who switched parties in 2007, is largely credited with moving the bill forward. Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy organization, endorsed Jacobs. The Log Cabin Republicans have also endorsed Jacobs.
“He’s proven himself to be very effective at being able to push legislation that is important to us and he also has not been afraid to speak out on issues that are important to the LGBT community,” said Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham.
Jacobs said he’s felt no reprisals from fellow Republicans for taking pro-gay stances and would fight any anti-gay legislation.
“My job as a legislator is to stand in the way of any legislation that would do something like restrict gay adoption,” Jacobs said.
Murray, a businesswoman who is making her first foray into politics, was endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats.
“I have gotten a very warm reception from many, many people in [the gay] community, people like Jerry Gonzalez [the openly gay executive director of Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials] … they really are rooting for me,” Murray said.
“I know that Mike was helpful with the bullying bill, he helped get it out of the Judiciary Committee and out on the floor and he’s taken a lot of credit for it. Good for him, but he wouldn’t have gotten it passed if it wasn’t for the Democrats.”
— Matt Schafer contributed.