Latest In

News

Minnesota for Marriage believes opposition to same-sex marriage drove N.Y. GOP victory

Minnesota for Marriage, a coalition working to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, said Republican Bob Turner’s win in the special election for former Rep. Anthony Weiner’s seat was due to his opposition to same-sex marriage. The group also pointed to movement on same-sex marriage bans in New Hampshire and North Carolina as evidence of momentum for their state agenda.

Jul 31, 202025.8K Shares561.1K Views
Minnesota for Marriage, a coalition working to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, said Republican Bob Turner’s win in the special election for former Rep. Anthony Weiner’s seat was due to his opposition to same-sex marriage. The group also pointed to movement on same-sex marriage bans in New Hampshire and North Carolina as evidence of momentum for their state agenda.
“This has been a momentous week for marriage,” said John Helmberger, chairman of Minnesota for Marriage, in a statement Friday. Helmberger is also the CEO of the Minnesota Family Council which is part of the Minnesota for Marriage coalition along with the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the D.C.-based National Organization for Marriage.
The groups are working hard to convince voters to pass a Constitutional amendment that would would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Minnesota law already bans same-sex marriage.
“Clearly, these pro-marriage wins in New York, North Carolina and New Hampshire demonstrate what we have been saying all along—marriage matters to voters—and politicians who vote to redefine marriage will be held accountable by the electorate,” he said.
In North Carolina, legislators voted to approve a May ballot measure banning relationship rights for same-sex couples in that state, and in New Hampshire, a House committee passed a bill that repeal that state’s marriage equality law.
“We are seeing the same momentum here in Minnesota,” Helmberger added. “In fact, last week thousands of people signed up to volunteer for our campaign. People across Minnesota can’t wait for the opportunity to help preserve marriage and vote in favor of this important constitutional amendment.”
Minnesota for Marriage said it views the win by Turner in New York over Democrat David Weprin as a major victory for its agenda.
“Turner benefitted from a significant Independent Expenditure effort by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which also supports the Minnesota Marriage Amendment,” the statement read. “Virtually every media analyst has credited Weprin’s support for same-sex ‘marriage’ as a decisive issue in the race.”
But Turner himself disagreed.
“We worked hard not to make it an issue in the race,” William O’Reilly, spokesman for Turner, told the New York Times. “David Weprin’s position on gay marriage probably won him as many votes as it lost him, so in the end it was likely a push.”
Paula M. Graham

Paula M. Graham

Reviewer
Latest Articles
Popular Articles