2016 Hopefuls React to Same-Sex Marriage Decision
Ken McIntyre /
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation sparked widely divergent reactions from Democratic and Republican candidates for president.
Within minutes of the ruling requiring states to allow same-sex couples to marry, issued just past 10 a.m., the 2016 hopefuls celebrated or decried it in press releases, tweets, and Facebook posts.
First out of the gate was Democrat Martin O’Malley, who spearheaded the Maryland legislature’s move to legalize same-sex marriage while he was governor.
So grateful to the people of MD for leading the way on this important issue of human dignity and equality under the law. #MarriageEquaility
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) June 26, 2015
O’Malley followed up with a souvenir from the marriage debate in Maryland, which saw advocates of same-sex marriage beat back a voter referendum to restore marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Reminded of Will and his moms on the day we passed marriage equality in MD. There’s no greater human right than love. pic.twitter.com/xg5X0HhP2j
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) June 26, 2015
O’Malley has mounted a long-shot bid to deny the Democratic nomination to front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton. The former first lady, senator, and secretary of state was an opponent of same-sex marriage as recently as a few years ago but has made LGBT rights and “marriage equality” a cornerstone of her campaign.
Clinton quickly fired off two tweets:
Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality—& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 26, 2015
Proud. pic.twitter.com/9J44PCYeuQ
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 26, 2015
Mike Huckabee, like Clinton’s husband a former Arkansas governor, was among the first few Republican candidates for president to react to the ruling. Huckabee, also a former pastor, tweeted:
This flawed, failed decision is an out-of-control act of unconstitutional judicial tyranny –> http://t.co/WMborH3TxB #SCOTUS
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) June 26, 2015
In a statement online, Huckabee said:
This ruling is not about marriage equality, it’s about marriage redefinition. This irrational, unconstitutional rejection of the expressed will of the people in over 30 states will prove to be one of the court’s most disastrous decisions, and they have had many. The only outcome worse than this flawed, failed decision would be for the president and Congress, two co-equal branches of government, to surrender in the face of this out-of-control act of unconstitutional, judicial tyranny.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who entered the GOP race Wednesday with a call to protect religious liberty, issued his statement on the ruling to reporters at 10:17 a.m. Jindal warned:
This decision will pave the way for an all-out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree … This ruling must not be used as pretext by Washington to erode our right to religious liberty.
The government should not force those who have sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage to participate in these ceremonies. That would be a clear violation of America’s long-held commitment to religious liberty as protected in the First Amendment.
Marriage between a man and a woman was established by God, and no earthly court can alter that. http://t.co/1Kfw9l0KMG
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) June 26, 2015
Jeb Bush, the former Republican governor of Florida, said the nation must find a way for “good people” with opposing views “to live side by side.” Bush also said:
Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision. I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments.
My thoughts on today's Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage: http://t.co/fd4nzBmUBl
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 26, 2015
Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO who is the only woman in the GOP race, castigated the court for cutting short the marriage debate in the states while also showing respect for committed same-sex relationships.
Agree w Alito: "All Americans… should worry about what the majority’s claim of power portends.” #SCOTUS http://t.co/xckkwMv205
— Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) June 26, 2015
My statement on today’s #SCOTUS ruling pic.twitter.com/UalM0QnBuF
— Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) June 26, 2015
Republican Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania who is a long-time opponent of same-sex marriage, seemed to anticipate a verdict at the polls from ordinary Americans.
Today, 5 unelected judges redefined the foundational unit of society. Now it is the people's turn to speak #Marriage
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) June 26, 2015
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the self-described democratic socialist from Vermont who is mounting a strong challenge to Clinton for the Democratic nomination, cast himself in a series of tweets as a longstanding champion of gay rights.
In a statement, Sanders said:
For far too long our justice system has marginalized the gay community and I am very glad the Court has finally caught up to the American people.
Today the Supreme Court fulfilled the words engraved upon its building: ‘Equal justice under law.’ #SCOTUSMarriage
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 26, 2015
NEWS: Sanders Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage: http://t.co/1dUu1sEcpV
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 26, 2015
Four incumbent Republican senators also are running for president. In a statement issued at 10:54, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he is a defender of traditional marriage but “will respect” the Supreme Court’s decision and oppose any attempt to amend the Constitution to overturn it.
Graham added:
As president, I would staunchly defend religious liberty in this nation and would devote the necessary federal resources to the protection of all Americans from any effort to hinder the free and full exercise of their rights. While we have differences, it is time for us to move forward together respectfully and as one people.
My statement on today's Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage: http://t.co/0udkTLDBE9
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 26, 2015
Aides to Florida’s Marco Rubio emailed a lengthy statement to reporters at 11:10.
“I firmly believe the question of same-sex marriage is a question of the definition of an institution, not the dignity of a human being,” Rubio said, adding:
Every American has the right to pursue happiness as they see fit. Not every American has to agree on every issue, but all of us do have to share our country. A large number of Americans will continue to believe in traditional marriage, and a large number of Americans will be pleased with the court’s decision today. In the years ahead, it is my hope that each side will respect the dignity of the other.
Rubio’s staff began to tweet out the statement more than four hours afters after the ruling:
This decision short-circuits the political process that has been underway on the state level for years.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 26, 2015
While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 26, 2015
Ted Cruz of Texas, who enjoys a deft press and social media operation and was quick to assail the high court’s Obamacare ruling the day before, had yet to comment on the marriage ruling nearly five hours later.
Nor had Rand Paul of Kentucky, whose media outreach in both campaign and Senate offices rivals that of Cruz.
Cruz, however, is seeking support from House and Senate members for his proposed amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee each state “the power to define marriage as limited to the union of one man and one woman.”
And in an afternoon call to Sean Hannity’s radio show, Cruz slammed the justices’ ruling as “a radical decision purporting to strike down the marriage laws of every state.” He added:
It has no connection to the United States Constitution. They are simply making it up. It is lawless, and in doing so they have undermined the fundamental legitimacy of the United States Supreme Court.
Rick Perry, the former Texas governor making his second bid for the Republican nomination, said:
I am disappointed the Supreme Court today chose to change the centuries old definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. I’m a firm believer in traditional marriage, and I also believe the 10th Amendment leaves it to each state to decide this issue.
"I fundamentally disagree with the court rewriting the law and assaulting the 10th Amendment." http://t.co/BkfcxAMvFE
— Team Rick Perry (@TeamRickPerry) June 26, 2015
Two popular announced candidates who never before have held public office, retired pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson and real estate magnate Donald Trump, had yet to comment by midafternoon. No word either from another GOP hopeful, former New York Gov. George Pataki.
Three incumbent Republican governors who are expected to enter the presidential race did offer their thoughts.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker weighed in shortly after noon:
I believe SCOTUS' decision is a grave mistake. 5 unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage.-SKW
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 26, 2015
Our Founders first amended our Constitution to protect our "First Freedom," the free exercise of religion. -SKW pic.twitter.com/qE8AIc3hqG
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 26, 2015
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie addressed the high court’s decision in a press conference, saying he agreed with Walker’s outrage at “the way it was done” but emphasized his responsibility to enforce the decision.
My response from today's press conference on SC ruling: https://t.co/SZ3qVh47sZ
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) June 26, 2015
“We must respect the decision,” Ohio Gov. John Kasich, also pondering the Republican race, said as same-sex couples began to marry in his state just before noon..
Lincoln Chafee, the former senator and governor from Rhode Island who is the fourth and most recent candidate in the Democratic race, hailed the ruling.
Congratulations to Supreme Court on today's good ruling for marriage equality! #chafee2016
— Lincoln Chafee (@LincolnChafee) June 26, 2015
One well-known Democrat still on the sidelines of the 2016 race, Vice President Joe Biden, spurred President Obama’s decision to reverse his longstanding position that marriage is a man-woman union and endorse same-sex marriage just before the 2012 election.
Aides to Biden, echoing Obama’s own remarks this morning, tweeted:
All marriages at their root are about love. In America, our laws now recognize that simple truth. #LoveWins today & we couldn't be prouder.
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 26, 2015
This report has been updated.
#MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/mmOr1E0o5Y
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 26, 2015