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.”

Homosexual couples will not be allowed to adopt children in Arkansas. Measure 1 prevents homosexuals and cohabiting couples from adopting or becoming foster parents. Voters approved the Adoption and Foster Care Act by a large margin — about 14 percentage points. Until now, Arkansas had no law preventing cohabiting couples from adopting or becoming foster parents.

Jerry Cox is president of the Family Council in Arkansas and headed the efforts to pass the measure.

“We worked with about 1,000 churches and a volunteer force of about 2,700 dedicated people,” he said. “And they are the ones that won this election.”

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

Chris Hupke, executive director of the South Dakota Family Policy Council, worked diligently to get the measure passed.

“We were very encouraged with response,” he said. “It was not a perfect piece of legislation, but it was the best we could do right now.”

He said his organization and other life advocates in the state put everything they could into Initiative 11. The measure lost by approximately 10 percentage points.

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

Two years ago, a more complex marriage-protection amendment failed at the polls by 2 percent.

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, is encouraged by the numbers but said it’s too early to celebrate as they are still waiting for results from Florida’s larger counties.