Log Cabin Republicans Names Interim Deputy

Don. R. Bramer, a businessman and former appointee of President George H.W. Bush, has been named the interim deputy executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, the group representing gay interests to the GOP announced Tuesday.

Bramer, a Capitol Hill veteran who first worked on staff for Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, will lead Get Out the Vote efforts for Log Cabin, the largest group representing gay and lesbian Republicans. The organization so far this year has endorsed two campaigns in Massachusetts, where Senator Scott Brown is running for re-election and Richard Tisei is seeking to become the first Republican elected to Congress as an openly LGBT person. More endorsements are expected on a rolling basis.

Log Cabin Republicans executive director R. Clarke Cooper hailed the background and skills of Bramer in a news release. He will take up the work of former deputy executive director Christian Berle, who left the organization this month after more than three years to serve as communications director for the Tisei campaign.

"His twenty years of private sector, public policy and political experience have prepared him to increase our role as a key player in building an inclusive Republican Party during the 2012 election cycle," said Cooper of Bramer. "Log Cabin Republicans members and chapters will be mobilizing to support our endorsed candidates and allies."

Bramer served as a confidential assistant for legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Commerce and at the Social Security Advisory Council with the Department of Health and Human Services during the George H.W. Bush administration, according to a bio provided by Log Cabin. A Kentucky native and Navy Reserve officer, he has served on combat missions for the Global War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Log Cabin Republicans are committed to supporting Republican leaders who adhere to the core conservative principles of limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets and a strong national defense," said Bramer. "We are fortunate to have a growing number of allies to support in building a pro-equality GOP caucus, and I look forward to working with Log Cabin members and the Republican Party as we fight for the principles that are so important to our nation."

Log Cabin has not yet announced whether it will endorse Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee for president. GOProud, a group representing gay conservatives, released its endorsement of the former Massachusetts governor last month.