Gay Idaho Governor Candidate Dumped by Constitution Party

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — The Constitution Party of Idaho has rejected its gubernatorial candidate. The Lewiston Tribune reports that delegates at the party's recent state convention in Cascade voted against endorsing Steve Pankey for governor.

The 63-year-old Pankey describes himself as celibate, a born-again Christian, and Idaho's first openly gay gubernatorial candidate. Constitution Party Chairman Floyd Whitley says Pankey's advocacy for same-sex marriage goes against party beliefs.

Pankey in May wrote a letter to Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden urging him to accept a federal court ruling that overturned Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage. The Idaho Secretary of State's Office says Pankey will remain on the November ballot as a Constitution Party candidate because there are no statutory provisions for kicking someone out of a party.