February 21, 2006 | Sex & Society

Texas candidate was male escort

Politicians have been known to work all sorts of jobs. Ronald Reagan was an actor, Bill Clinton a lawyer and President George W. Bush an oilman. Few, however, have held jobs as surprising as political hopeful Tom Malin, who was exposed last week as a former prostitute.

Malin is vying for a seat on the Texas legislature as a candidate in the Democratic primary next month, according to gay.com. The Dallas Morning News broke the story Friday that Malin, who has sold Mary Kay cosmetics and now markets electricity, had advertised himself online in New York and Los Angeles as a male escort named Todd Sharpe, who earned between $200 and $600 per encounter.

"I've made mistakes in my life, and I've stood before my creator and I've accepted responsibility for my behavior," Malin told The Dallas Morning News. "I've also accepted his grace and his redemption and his love and his forgiveness, and that's what's important."

While some Democrats are calling on Malin to quit the race, he promised to continue his candidacy.

"I don't regret my past, nor do I wish to shut the door on my past," he said. "I think anyone who has made mistakes in their lives can be a viable member of community and society."

We agree. Now, cut to 2008: Heidi Fleiss for President!

• Gay ex-hustler runs for Texas legislature [365Gay.com]
• Texas escort admits history as escort [Gay.com AP]