Democrats call on Thompson to fire aide

MADISON (AP) - Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate is calling on Republican Senate candidate Tommy Thompson to fire a campaign staffer who emailed and sent a Twitter message linking to Democrat Tammy Baldwin dancing at a gay pride festival.

Tate called on Thompson to fire political director Brian Nemoir on Thursday.

Thompson's campaign spokeswoman Lisa Boothe called the request a desperate move meant to distract voters from Baldwin's record. Nemoir did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Thompson on Tuesday said Nemoir shouldn't have sent the message. Baldwin's campaign and Tate have called it a divisive, personal attack.

Baldwin is looking to become the first openly gay candidate elected to the Senate.

The video shows her dancing at a 2010 gay pride event on the University of Wisconsin campus.