Liberal campaign manager quits over gay concerns, MLA says info leaked

LANGLEY, B.C. – The campaign manager for the B.C. Liberal candidate in a Langley riding has quit a week before the election, saying he was marginalized because he’s gay.

But incumbent Liberal MLA Mary Polak says she became aware today that information about her campaign strategy had been leaked to the rival campaign.

Polak says she spoke to Todd Hauptman about her concerns and still wanted him to work for her but that she later heard a media report that he’d resigned.

Hauptman says in an open letter that he’s had enough of being marginalized and that he’s tired of politicians making endless excuses for political gain.

Polak says she has known Hauptman for 10 years and supported him when he came out several years ago despite the teachings of her Catholic religion, which considers homosexuality a sin.

Polak says she doesn’t believe Hauptman intended to hurt her but that his decision was based on his friendship with someone in the NDP camp.