OPINION Capital Letters A Rough 2004 for Tammy Baldwin? Hastings Wyman | August 25, 2003 U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the only out lesbian in Congress, is a tempting target for the GOP in next year's elections. With only $173,000 in her campaign account, Baldwin has raised less money than any other member of Congress from the Badger State. Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, describes Baldwin as "the most vulnerable Democrat in the (Wisconsin) House delegation." Although she won with an easy 67 percent of the vote last year, her opponent - religious righter and open homophobe David Greer - was hardly A-team competition. In 2000, she won by a slim 51 percent and in 1998 by 52 percent, both times against politically respectable opponents. Prior to that, her 2nd District, which includes liberal Madison along with more conservative rural and suburban counties, was represented by a Republican. So far, Baldwin has no announced opposition for next year. Wealthy publisher David Magnum, who could have run a full-scale campaign against her, was interested in the race, but recently took out a full-page newspaper ad explaining why he is not running. (He contended that Federal Communications Commission rules hamper his ability to sell some of his radio stations to finance a campaign.) But that doesn't mean Baldwin is out of the woods. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) says Baldwin's district is definitely significant for the GOP. "Several people are interested in the race," NRCC spokesman Carl Forti told me, "but nobody's gone active yet." Baldwin's potential problems do not stem from her performance in office. She flies back to Wisconsin every weekend to work in her district, appearing at meetings on health care, the war in Iraq, and other issues, and is consistently well-received. She has also made a point of addressing issues important to her district, such as agricultural problems facing this dairy-farming area. But unlike most other congressional incumbents, she does not raise large sums from business PACs (political action committees), but relies mostly on individual contributions. Indeed, she raises more money from individual contributors than any other Wisconsin member of Congress. The gay community has a stake in supporting Baldwin's re-election. For starters, she has not been shy about standing up for the gay community, most recently signing a letter - along with Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) - opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would restrict marriage to heterosexual unions. She is also in the forefront of helping other gay and lesbian candidates across the country, headlining fundraisers for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, for example. But Baldwin pays a price for her openness about her sexual orientation. From time to time, homophobic demonstrators show up at her appearances in her district, bearing insulting signs - "Sodomite go home" and the like. But it's a tribute to both Baldwin and the people she represents that even in the small towns and rural areas, local officials have been supportive and helpful in keeping the antigay harassment within legal limits. The possibility that Baldwin will once again have a tough re-election battle is real; her friends and supporters, especially in the gay community, need to show their support now. Find out how at TammyBaldwin.com. Hastings Wyman publishes Southern Political Report, a nonpartisan biweekly political newsletter. Previous editions ENDA Losing Republican Muscle Two Cheers for Jerry Springer Asking and telling about Wesley Clark Is marriage the next major gay issue? Gay Interests at Mercy of California Political Turmoil