Last-Minute Campaign Mailing Blasts Senate Candidate

McLean voters and other throughout the 32nd Senate District received a campaign postcard on Friday from an organization called Our Heritage USA calling Republican state senate candidate Patrick Forrest “openly homosexual” and says he is endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

A Washington Post story about the postcard says the return address of the mailer is Our Heritage USA in Lynchburg, but the organization and street address do not appear to exist.

The mailer says Forrest is  a “liberal Republican” who supports illegal immigration reform, worked for President Obama’s transition team and has voted in Democratic primaries.

“A liberal Republican like Patrick Forrest is a greater threat to the conservative agenda than a Democrat will ever be,’’ it reads.

Forrest, who is openly gay, has accused incumbent  Democratic Sen. Janet Howell, of making an issue of his sexual orientation.

Howell told The Post  she did not know who sent the mailers — one of which was addressed to her husband. “It’s disgusting and despicable,’’ she said. “It’s not the way campaigns should be run.”

Howell told The Post her campaign delivered a letter to the Forrest campaign Saturday morning. She told him she was trying to find the organization responsible and would be reporting the situation to the State Board of Elections.

“As you know, I deplore political tactics that personally disrespect candidates or their family members,’’ she wrote. “Our campaign, as should all campaigns, sticks to the issues that are important to the community and impact our families," according to the Post.