Family Policy Network of Pennsylvania » Only One Republican Candidate for PA Gov. Supports Marriage Amendment

TWO OUT OF FOUR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES PUBLICLY SUPPORT MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT – NOW IT’S DOWN TO ONE

February 8, 2006 – By Diane Gramley

(Harrisburg) – A review by the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) earlier in the week revealed that only two of the PA gubernatorial candidates had publicly stated support for the recently introduced Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment. That number is now down to one due to Bill Scranton’s recent withdrawl from the governor’s race.

“Whether the gubernatorial candidates want to acknowledge it or not, the protection of traditional marriage is an important issue to Pennsylvanians. These candidates’ position on the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment will certainly be a factor in the way citizens will vote in the upcoming primaries,” said Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

Governor Rendell has publicly stated that he does not see the necessity of a Marriage Protection Amendment. In July the governor’s spokesman, Chuck Ardo, indicated that Governor Rendell believes that the courts should decide the definition of marriage.

While he was still in the race, candidate Bill Scranton issued a statement which reiterated “strong support for an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to protect traditional
marriage.”

Likewise, on January 24, gubernatorial candidate Jim Panyard issued a statement which endorsed “the proposal to be unveiled at the State Capitol today for a state constitutional amendment to assure marriage in Pennsylvania will remain between one man and one woman.”

As of today candidate Lynn Swann does not include any mention of marriage on his “Values” webpage. He only states, “I believe I have those core conservative values; spend less, tax less, protect the most innocent among us, govern in a compassionate way, and provide opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.”

“The protection of traditional marriage is an important issue to Pennsylvanians; we call on the gubernatorial candidates who have not indicated where they stand on traditional marriage to do so. In that way the voters will get a clearer picture of what the candidates view as important,” Gramley stated.

H.B. 2381 was introduced on January 24 with almost 90 co-sponsors. On February 6 S.B. 1084 was introduced in the Senate. Nineteen other states have already passed amendments defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. These amendments are necessary because of the challenges to states’ Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs). On January 20 a Baltimore judge declared Maryland’s DOMA unconstitutional. A challenge to New York’s DOMA is before that state’s highest court right now. Can we trust Pennsylvania’s judges to protect traditional marriage? Let’s not have to find out.