Former HRC staffer faces primary in Mich.

Winner of Tuesday’s primary will go on to challenge embattled one-time Tea Party favorite incumbent Rep. Justin Amash in November. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

GRAND RAPIDS — Trevor Thomas — who made a name for himself in Washington as spokesperson for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal fight — will face a tough primary for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. House in his western Michigan home district on Tuesday, despite winning endorsements from local Democratic heavyweights and the state’s popular former governor.

Former HRC spokesman Thomas, who’s gay, is battling former state Rep. Steve Pestka for the Democratic nomination in a competitive primary. The winner of Tuesday’s primary will go on to challenge embattled one-time Tea Party favorite incumbent Rep. Justin Amash in November.