New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine makes Marriage Equality a campaign issue

MENJ As New Jersey lawmakers debate approving a same-sex marriage bill in the lame-duck session after this year’s election before any newly elected officials would take office, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, a one time critic of Marriage Equality now says his is in favor same-sex marriage in the Garden State and would sign the bill if it makes it to his desk.

Corzine is also making “marriage equality” for gays and lesbians a major piece of his reelection campaign, and in public statement recently has pushed support of same-sex marriage.

“We believe that government should allow people the freedom to marry whomever they love,” Corzine said in his general-election kickoff speech earlier this month and at a gay-pride parade in Asbury Park, N.J., Corzine referred to his campaign and told a cheering crowd there, “Marriage equality is on the ballot. Are you going to help us make it come to pass in New Jersey?”

In December 2006, Corzine signed a civil-unions bill, calling it a proud moment, but when it came to same-sex marriage, he said, “That is not where my personal views are because I was brought up in the context of religious beliefs that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.” according to a report in the Star-Ledger of Newark.

However, in December 2008, Corzine embraced marriage for gays and lesbians after a state commission issued a report saying civil unions failed to provide equal rights. Corzine then said the inequality is a civil-rights issue that “must be addressed sooner rather than later.”

An April, Quinnipiac University poll showed New Jersey residents supported gay marriage, 49 percent to 43 percent.

Jon Corzine, Governor and former Senator from ...

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Nonetheless, the economic downturn has hit New Jersey hard and Corzine is facing a tough re-election challenge in November. New Jersey voters are angry over high unemployment and a state budget that increased income taxes for high earners, boosted wine and liquor taxes, trimmed a popular tax rebate program, raises various fees and cuts many state services. A recent poll shows Corzine’s Republican challenger, Chris Christie with a 10-point lead in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a wide margin.

So Corzine is focusing his campaign on issues that traditionally divide Democrats and Republicans in New Jersey… same-sex marriage, abortion, gun control, and the environment.

The momentum for Marriage Equality has grown recently, especially in the Northeast, and same-sex marriage is now legal in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and Iowa.

In a May 12 Republican primary debate, Christie said he believed that marriage “has to be between one man and one woman and that we should keep it that way in the state of New Jersey,” and has said he would veto any Marriage Equality bill that came before him.

However, even if Christie should win, he might not have the chance to use that veto, New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D., Mercer), who has sponsored the current Marriage Equality bill that would allow same-sex marriage, has said his bill will probably come up in the lame-duck legislative session just after November’s election. “It’s probably going to be a reality sooner than later,” Gusciora said.