Coming From Massachusetts: Hill's First Gay Republican?

Richard Tisei is hoping to become Capitol Hill's first openly gay Republican this November—and he thinks his sexuality might actually help. Being gay is a "non-issue" in Tisei's left-leaning district, he tells the Hill; indeed, he thinks being pro-gay-marriage and pro-choice will be marks in his favor. "I consider myself a 'live and let live Republican,'" he says. "The government should get out of your bedroom, off your back, and out of your wallet. That's a pretty traditional Northeastern Republican philosophy."

That may not entirely jibe with the rest of the party, but GOP leadership is betting big on Tisei; John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and Paul Ryan have chipped in almost $50,000 towards his campaign. Tisei's district heavily favored Barack Obama in 2008, but it backed Scott Brown in 2010, and Tisei's opponent, John Tierney, has a scandal on his hands—his relatives were allegedly involved in an illegal gambling ring. The Boston Globe has the latest on that story. (More Richard Tisei stories.)