NJ’s 2nd legislative district is the most high-profile race on the ballot this year.  One of the “swingiest” districts in NJ, it’s among the few competitive legislative races we’ll  salivate over.

Don Guardian, former Mayor of Atlantic City and candidate for the NJ General Assembly, was endorsed by Log Cabin Republicans, an organization for politically-conservative LGBT people.

Ashton Theodore-Randle is Log Cabin Republican’s tri-state chairman.

“Log Cabin Republicans is excited to endorse Don Guardian for the 2nd district of the NJ State Assembly,” Mr. Theodore-Randle told InsiderNJ.

Seventeen towns make up NJ’s 2nd legislative district including Egg Harbor Township, Pleasantville, and Atlantic City.

Other town in this Atlantic County-based district are Absecon, Brigantine, Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Egg Harbor City, Folsom Borough, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Longport Borough, Margate City, Mullica Township, Northfield, Somers Point City, and Ventnor City.

“He has been a fighter for all communities and a champion for the American values our organization represents,” Mr. Theodore-Randle added. “We believe he will be dynamic leader in the chamber, working to ensure common-sense policymaking in Trenton.”

Mayor Guardian’s Log Cabin endorsement complements his early-summer endorsement from Victory Fund, a non-partisan organization devoted to election LGBTs from across the political spectrum. Don Guardian has even found support from democrats (including me and my partner who both sent a check.)

Garden State Equality hasn’t voted on endorsements for legislature yet but their executive director Christian Fuscarino is in Guardian’s camp.

“Guardian is a qualified candidate with a track record and we must all help him win in November,” Mr Fuscarino told InsiderNJ.

There are currently zero LGBTQ members of New Jersey 120-seat state legislature. In a state that’s reliably liberal, it’s mildly surprising that it’s a republican best poised to break that streak.

Adoring to Mr. Randall, “Log Cabin Republicans  have a proud history of fighting to build a stronger, more inclusive Republican Party. LGBT Republicans and straight allies have chosen to transform the GOP from the inside, working to overcome the forces of exclusion and intolerance.”

Jay Lassiter is an award-winning writer and podcaster. He doesn’t live in the districts but if he did, he’d vote Don Guardian for Assembly.