Controversial presidential hopeful Ron Paul was beaten in Sunday’s Puerto Rico primary by a little-known gay Jewish Republican contender.
Fred Karger, whose progressive campaign has attracted little media attention in the last few months, won 1.43 per cent of the vote in the US territory, compared with Mr Paul’s 1.22 per cent.
While Mr Karger is not considered to have any real chance of the party’s nomination, the result will provide some comfort to those nervous of Mr Paul’s chances. Mr Paul, who is a staunch critic of Israel, caused a political storm when he shook hands with a member of the extremist anti-Zionist group, Neturei Karta.
Mr Karger, a gay rights activist and political consultant who once worked with President Ronald Reagan, has claimed to be the only Republican candidate offering centrist views.