Good News: Three Marriage Amendments Headed to Victory

by Devon Williams

Florida and Arizona on Tuesday became the 28th and 29th states to amend their constitutions to define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. California’s marriage amendment also appeared headed to victory.

Despite millions spent by gay activists to defeat the marriage initiatives, pro-family leaders in the three states led heroic campaigns to protect marriage from activist judges and lawmakers.

“It’s going to be important as we talk about this election, and make it very clear, it’s not a rejection of conservative values,” said Tony Perkins, president of FRC Action in Washington, D.C. “Politicians must make a more sincere effort to protect marriage if they want the support of values voters.”

In California, Proposition 8 would reverse the state’s Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex “marriage” earlier this year.

“We know God has gone before us,” said Ron Prentice, executive director of the California Family Council. “Tens of thousands of people were praying over the weekend … praying and fasting for 40 days to give victory to California and protect marriage.”

Arizona voters, who narrowly rejected a marriage-protection amendment two years ago, supported Proposition 102 this time around.

“When we unite together around timeless value like marriage, we can win,” said Cathi Herrod, president of The Center for Arizona Policy. “I hope this is a new beginning of pulling together on issues we care most about.”

Florida’s Amendment 2 received the 60 percent support it needed to pass — and a few extra percentage points.

“This is a victory for children and for the future of Florida,” said Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel. “Amendment 2 will prevent activist judges from redefining marriage by the stroke of a pen.”

John Stemberger, chairman of the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage, said he can’t take credit for the victory.

“There are a couple of hundred people standing behind me who did the work,” he said. “I just pointed the way.

“I felt the Lord called me to do this, and I was fortunate to have state leaders support me.”

Kelly Shackelford, president of the Free Market Foundation in Texas, said he is encouraged by the results and hopeful for the future.

“People of this country do believe marriage is one man and one woman,” he said. “I think it’s a tribute to pastors –- pastors of different denominations and races locking arms. That’s encouraging for the future.”

Chambliss Expected to Hold Ga. Senate Seat

Freshman Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a strong social conservative, was narrowly defeating former Democratic state legislator Jim Martin in a race to the wire. With 97 percent of the vote counted, Chambliss was at 51 percent.  Martin’s liberal positions — pro-abortion, pro-civil unions, pro-gay adoption — proved too extreme for most Georgians, and Chambliss was a strong favorite heading into the election.

Smith and Merkley Neck-and-Neck for Ore. Senate Seat

Republican Sen. Gordon Smith was in a dead heat with challenger Democratic state House Speaker Jeff Merkley in his bid for re-election in this liberal-leaning state. Merkley is a dyed-in-the-wool liberal on all the social issues. Smith has a mixed record — voting for good judges and for pro-life measures, yet all too often also supporting the gay agenda.

Stevens Facing Loss of Alaska Senate Seat

Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage, is expected to defeat embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, who was tainted by his recent felony conviction for public corruption. Stevens had a mixed record on social issues. Begich is a traditional liberal. Stevens, 84, who had been in the Senate for 40 years, was found guilty last week on seven felony counts. A jury convicted Stevens of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his home.

Udall to Clinch Open Colo. Senate Seat

Democratic Rep. Mark Udall was soundly defeating former Republican Rep. Bob Schaffer for Colorado’s open Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Sen. Wayne Allard. Udall has a consistently pro-abortion voting record in Congress and supports the legal availability of partial-birth abortion. He regularly received donations from Warren Hern, an infamous and controversial late-term abortionist in Boulder. Schaffer has had a solid pro-life record throughout his career.

The same contrast applies to marriage issues. Udall has a perfect rating from the leading pro-homosexual lobbying group and is a sponsor of a bill to allow open homosexuality in the armed forces. He’s also supported using federal funds to punish the Boy Scouts for not allowing homosexual troop leaders.

Udall Set to Capture Open N.M. Senate Seat

Democratic Rep. Tom Udall was strongly leading Republican Rep. Steve Pearce for the open Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of six-term Republican Sen. Pete Domenici. Pearce had a sterling pro-family record in Congress, while Udall — cousin to Rep. Mark Udall in Colorado — has consistently followed the leading of the pro-abortion and pro-gay lobbies.

Coleman Narrowly Holding Minn. Senate Seat

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman was narrowly holding onto his seat against a stiff challenge by liberal Democrat and former comedian Al Franken. Coleman has a moderately conservative, pro-life record, including opposition to destructive embryonic stem-cell research. He also voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and the Marriage Protection Act in 2006. Franken, on the other hand, had the support of NARAL Pro-Choice America, the nation’s top pro-abortion lobbying organization, and he supported same-sex “marriage.”

Wicker Expected to Retain Miss. Senate Seat

Republican Sen. Roger Wicker was prevailing against Democrat challenger Ronnie Musgrove to hold on to the unexpired term of retired Republican Sen. Trent Lott.

Both candidates were conservative on social issues, including life and marriage. But the left strongly supported Musgrove, a former governor of Mississippi, who could have been counted on to vote with his party on key procedural votes, such as cloture to block Republican attempts at filibuster.

Landrieu Holding La. Senate Seat

Republicans apparently failed to capture the one vulnerable Democratic Senate seat as incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu was beating state treasurer and former Democrat-turned-Republican John Kennedy. Despite the socially conservative views of Louisianans, Landrieu has generally sided with liberals on key issues.

She has a 29 percent lifetime rating from National Right to Life versus Kennedy’s strong pro-life and pro-marriage positions. Landrieu voted to support Roe v. Wade as an “appropriate” decision and to kill the federal marriage-protection amendment in 2004 and 2006. She also voted against the confirmation of Associate Justice Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Conservative Stalwart Musgrave Loses U.S. House Seat

In Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, Betsy Markey (D) has unseated incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R) with 56 percent of the vote. Markey is staunchly pro-abortion and has major backing from Emily’s List. She opposes protecting marriage, embraces the agenda of the gay lobby and is supported by the leading gay-rights PAC.

Musgrave has been lauded by conservatives for sponsoring the federal Marriage Protection Amendment in the U.S. House. In addition to her strong pro-marriage stance, Musgrave has a lifetime 100 percent pro-life record and is a strong supporter of the armed forces.