NJ (and nation's?) first gay, black, Republican mayor

As GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum babbles on about the purported horrors of marriage equality, a gay, black Republican has taken office in New Jersey.

Bruce Harris was sworn in Tuesday as mayor of Chatham Borough in Morris County, the Daily Record reports.  "It is my duty to serve the community," said the 61-year-old attorney, who served two terms on the borough council.

The Victory Fund, a national organization which supports gay and lesbian candidates, believes Harris may represent a first in the nation.

"We're thrilled for Bruce and the people of Chatham Borough, who cast their vote for an experienced and capable public servant," spokesman Denis Dison says via e-mail. "It's a reminder that most people don't give a second thought to things like sexual orientation, race or even party affiliation when they trust a candidate can do the best job."

Steven Goldstein, executive director of Garden State Equality, tells me that Harris "is a wonderful public servant and a great guy, who will be an incredible mayor."

Goldstein adds that Harris "represents the kind of inclusiveness in the Republican party we can only wish for at the national level."

Meanwhile, up in New Hampshire, Santorum revived one of his favorite odious analogies (same-sex marriage=polygamy) -- perhaps hoping to simultaneously smear gay people as well as front-runner Mitt Romney, who's a Mormon.

Photo: Cara Townsend, The Daily Record