June 14, 2012
President Thomas S. Monson
The Office of the First Presidency
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Dear President Monson:
I was honored to be placed on the June 26th Utah Republican Presidential Primary ballot by State GOP Chairman Thomas Wright. I have competed in other state primaries this year, Utah is my sixth.
I hired a small Utah campaign staff and made my second visit as a presidential candidate to the state last week.
We campaigned all over in our "Utah Express" mini-bus and had an official kickoff press conference last Friday, June 8th at the Salt Lake City Downtown Marriott. That is when I released my June 7, 2012 letter to you requesting a meeting.
On Monday I had a wonderful meeting in the Southern Utah city of St. George with the Washington County GOP Chairman Willie Billings. Then a few hours later I received this mean-spirited email from Nanette Billings, his wife.
From: nanette Billings (email address removed)
Subject: running for presidentMessage Body:
you are an idiot. You met with my husband Willie Billings today about you being on the Utah ballot. He brought your frisby, and tshirt home and it is now out in the trash. I never want to hear from such a radical idiot again. you think you are conseritave? conseritave means you beleive in the values of founding fathers and God. Do you know you cant procreate right? Well thank goodness for that. Nanette Billings
This mail is sent via contact form on Fred Karger for President http://www.fredkarger.com
It felt like a knife had been twisted in my stomach. Was it real? Was she serious? Two journalists called Mrs. Billings and what she said about me to them was even nastier. Here is some news coverage:
Yahoo News by Chris Moody: Gay Republican presidential candidate Fred Karger gets a rough welcome in southern Utah
CLICK HERE
Huffington Post by Alana Horowitz: Fred Karger, Gay GOP Candidate, 'Only Running To Find More Partners', Says Nanette Billings
CLICK HERE
Los Angeles Times by Mark Z. Barabak: Requiem for a candidate: 'I could have been the gay Herman Cain!'
CLICK HERE
St. George Spectrum by Samantha Sadlier: GOP presidential candidate promotes equality CLICK HERE
I have been campaigning full time for the last 2 ½ years and am well aware that many people around the country are not happy with the fact that the first openly gay candidate is running for President of the United States.
Two years ago I was threatened in a late night email from Steve Scheffler, the head of the Iowa Christian Alliance.
Des Moines Register by Jason Clayworth: Iowa GOP committeeman to gay candidate: I'll sink you CLICK HERE
But I forged ahead from that experience and have not been attacked quite like that until this week. I am 62-years-old and can take the hate better now, but for so many millions of LGBT Americans it takes a far greater toll.
We must stop this Religion-based bigotry. I once again appeal to you as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) to sit down face to face and find common ground.
We all need to work together toward mutual love, respect and equality for everyone in this great nation.
Thank you very much.
Best personal regards,
Fred Karger