As we approach the Supreme Court's historic decision later this month on whether same-sex marriage should be legal nationwide, here's a rundown on the views of some presidential candidates for 2016. Very few have officially declared their candidacy; most are expected to announce their campaigns later this year.
Jeb Bush, Republican
The former Florida governor has long opposed gay marriage, but he recently prompted speculation that he might become the “gay friendly” Republican in 2016. For one thing, he said in January that “I hope we can show respect for the good people on all sides of the gay and lesbian marriage issue – including couples making lifetime commitments to each other seeking greater legal protections.” But he reasserted his opposition in recent remarks on the Christian Broadcasting Network: “I don’t,” he said, when asked whether he supports gay marriage. “To imagine how we are going to succeed in our country unless we have committed family life, committed child-centered family system, is hard to imagine. We need to be stalwart supporters of traditional marriage.” (CBN, New York Times)
Chris Christie, Republican
The New Jersey governor, a Catholic, vetoed bills that would have legalized same-sex marriage in New Jersey. A Superior Court ruled that the state must allow gay marriage; Christie appealed the decision but then abandoned the fight after it became clear that the state Supreme Court would rule against him. He has never wavered from his contention that marriage is between one man and one woman. (NJ.com, Politifact, Time)
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat
Clinton’s public view has changed completely over time, from total rejection of marriage equality to a full embrace of it. She opposed gay marriage during her 2008 presidential campaign and also remarked that she would have signed the Defense of Marriage Act, just as her husband did. Now, however, her position has evolved. "Hillary Clinton supports marriage equality and hopes the Supreme Court will come down on the side of same-sex couples being guaranteed that constitutional right," said Adrienne Elrod, a Clinton spokeswoman, in a statement. (CNN, The Atlantic)
Ted Cruz, Republican
The Texas senator opposes gay marriage – he calls “marriage between one man and one woman a fundamental building block of society” -- and has long decried the actions of federal judges who overturn state bans. In March he called those court decisions a “real danger to our liberty.” Cruz has actively defended Texas’ gay marriage ban. (ChristianToday.com, TedCruz.com)
Lindsay Graham, Republican
The South Carolina senator backed proposals for a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, arguing that if the Constitution is interpreted to grant a constitutional right to gay marriage, it could also be interpreted as granting marriage rights to polygamists. Yet Graham has also called for gay couples to be able to live "free and open" lives. (Associated Press)
Mike Huckabee, Republican
Huckabee strongly opposes legalizing gay marriage, citing religious grounds. "This is not just a political issue. It is a biblical issue. And as a biblical issue -- unless I get a new version of the scriptures, it's really not my place to say, OK, I'm just going to evolve," he said. "It's like asking someone who's Jewish to start serving bacon-wrapped shrimp in their deli. We don't want to do that -- I mean, we're not going to do that. . . . We're so sensitive to make sure we don't offend certain religions, but then we act like Christians can't have the convictions that they've had for 2,000 years.” (CNN)
Martin O’Malley, Democrat
Maryland’s governor, who just announced that he’ll run against Clinton for the Democratic nomination, said this week that he will push for a bill legalizing gay marriage in his state. “Marylanders of all walks of life want their children to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected under the law," O'Malley said. In remarks in April that seemed aimed at Hillary Clinton’s change of heart, he told the Guardian: “Leadership is about making the right decision, and the best decision before sometimes it becomes entirely popular.” (Baltimore Sun, Guardian)
Rand Paul, Republican
The Kentucky senator takes a states-rights view. “I do believe in traditional marriage, Kentucky has decided it, and I don't think the federal government should tell us otherwise. There are states that have decided in the opposite fashion, and I don't think the federal government should tell anybody or any state government how they should decide this. Marriage has been a state issue for hundreds of years.” (Fox News, OnTheIssues.org)
Rick Perry, Republican
The Texas governor in 2013 told a Baptist church audience in Dallas that "we must love all, welcome all, and be a model for Christ." But he nonetheless has been an implacable opponent of same-sex marriage. He signed an anti-gay marriage pledge in 2011 for the National Organization for Marriage and has staunchly defended Texas’ right to ban gay marriage. “This is another attempt to achieve via the courts what couldn’t be achieved at the ballot box,” he said. “We will continue to fight for the rights of Texans to self-determine the laws of our state.” (Huffington Post, Associated Press)
Marco Rubio, Republican
Rather like Ron Paul, Rubio says he opposes gay marriage personally but believes each state should decide this issue. "I do not believe that there is a U.S. constitutional right to same-sex marriage," he said. "Now as I've said before, states have a right to change their laws. I don't believe it's unconstitutional. I just don't believe there's a constitutional right to it." (Politifact)
Rick Santorum, Republican
The former Pennsylvania senator says the Supreme Court would be wrong to legalize gay marriage. "Of course I'd fight it," he said. "Roe versus Wade was decided 30 some years ago, and I continue to fight that, because I think the court got it wrong. And I think if the court decides this case in error, I will continue to fight, as we have on the issue of life ... We're not bound by what nine people say in perpetuity." (Huffington Post, NBC)
