LANSING, Mich. (AP) – An activist who opposes same-sex marriage and same-sex benefits for public employees is trying to raise sexual orientation as an issue in a state House race.

Gary Glenn sent an e-mail Friday to supporters and the media targeting openly gay Democrat Garnet Lewis. Glenn wrote that Lewis is a “homosexual activist with an extremely liberal agenda” not representative of voters in the 98th district, which covers parts of Saginaw and Midland counties.

The e-mail notes Lewis has been endorsed by Michigan Equality, Triangle Pride and other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights groups.

Lewis is running against Republican Jim Stamas in the November election.

Lewis said she’s been open about her sexual orientation, which was mentioned in some media reports as early as this summer. But she said she was disappointed that Glenn would try to make it a campaign issue because it’s “old news.”

She said the economy and related matters are more relevant issues for voters.

“I have faith in people,” Lewis said. “They’re interested in what can be done to bring jobs to the area, provide quality education for their kids and address the cost of health care.”

Glenn was a major backer of the successful 2004 campaign to define marriage as between one man and one woman in the Michigan Constitution. He lives in Midland County and is president of the American Family Association of Michigan and chairman of the Campaign for Michigan Families political action committee,

The 98th district has trended Republican in recent elections. The seat is open because Rep. John Moolenaar, a Midland Republican, has served the maximum three two-year terms and can’t run again.

Democrats are making a push to try and win the seat in an effort to widen their current 58-52 House majority.

Lewis is one of the Democratic candidates benefiting from advertisements run by Kalamazoo billionaire Jon Stryker and the Coalition for Progress. Stryker also has contributed directly to Lewis’ campaign.