‘Proud, gay’ GOP candidate hits back at Tea Party label in new ad

Carl DeMaio (R) is touting his personal history and libertarian social views in a new, firing back at Democrats’ attacks that he’s a Tea Party candidate.

{mosads}”As a proud, gay American, I’ve been called a lot of things in my life. But a Tea Party extremist? Nothing could be further from the truth,” the former San Diego city councilman says in the spot. “I’m challenging both parties to get off divisive social agendas. Let’s respect personal freedoms for all.”

DeMaio, who’s locked in a tight race against Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), then pivots to his biography to argue he’s not the unyielding conservative he’s being painted as by Peters and House Democrats.

“Orphaned as a child, I had to put myself through school. I’m committed to making college affordable for everyone. Most of all, I’m independent, a reformer willing to work with both sides to make government work for all,” he said.

DeMaio has long pushed for the GOP to drop social issues, though his fiscal views are fairly conservative.

Peters has hit him for his hard-charging, uncompromising style, arguing that his attitude matches the Tea Party’s. Peters has also featured clips of DeMaio praising a Tea Party group in earlier ads.