Ron Paul
Supporters Mourn Death of Gay Campaign Chair

Activists belonging to the libertarian wing of the Republican Party continue to mourn the loss of Kent Snyder, a 49-year-old gay political operative credited with propelling the presidential campaign of Ron Paul into a national, grassroots movement that raised more than $35 million.

Snyder, who served as Paul's campaign chair, died of pneumonia on June 26 after being hospitalized for about two months.

Though his death was reported in The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, his sexual orientation was never mentioned.

On his own website, Paul called Snyder's death a "great loss" to the libertarian movement.

"Kent poured every ounce of his being into our fight for freedom," Paul said. "He will always hold a place in my heart and in the hearts of my family. We deeply mourn his loss."

Paul praised Snyder for playing a key role in advancing libertarian causes and noted that Snyder began his association with him in 1987, when he worked on Paul's first run for president.

"Over the next 20 years, we worked together on countless projects in the name of freedom," Paul said on his site. "It was Kent, more than anyone else, who urged me to run again for president" in 2008. (The Advocate)