I know I just released a diary about Senator Kay Hagan (D. NC) coming out for expanding background checks but I wanted to break this news to you all:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) became the latest senator to support gay marriage rights, endorsing the cause “after much thought and prayer” in a message posted on Facebook Wednesday morning.
Hagan’s announcement carries significant political weight, given that she is a top target for Republicans in 2014, and North Carolina, which leans culturally conservative, approved a state initiative last May that would amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. More than 60 percent of North Carolina voters supported the ballot initiative.
Hagan, who opposed Amendment One, as it was known, had not clearly stated her own position on gay marriage until Wednesday. “After much thought and prayer, I have come to my own personal conclusion that we shouldn’t tell people who they can love or who they can marry,” she said in her statement. “This wasn’t a decision I came to overnight, like my Republican colleague Rob Portman expressed recently on his own viewpoint.” - Washington Post, 3/27/13
Hagan made the announcement today on her Facebook page:
Local presses notes that Senator Hagan's endorsement of gay marriage carries heavy political risk but Hagan isn't worried about that:
http://www.newsobserver.com/...
This was a difficult choice for Hagan who faces a potentially faces a tough re-election campaign next year in a culturally conservative state. North Carolina voters last year overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment declaring marriage as being between a man and a woman.
“I’m not interested in playing political pundit,” Hagan said when asked how she thought her stance would effect her re-election prospects. “I’ve never made a decision based on future elections. I’m not interested in that. I’m not interested in casting aspersions on those who view this differently.”
Hagan opposed last year’s amendment as did many Democrats for whom she must rely on for support. - Charlotte News Observer, 3/27/13
Glad to have you on board, Senator Hagan! If you'd like to donate to her re-election campaign, you can do so here:
https://secure.actblue.com/...