Just 24 hours after beginning our campaign, 5 of the 6 candidates running for Attorney General in Connecticut have already responded to our question: whether, if elected, he or she would be willing to defend state law — marriage equality — and defend the citizens of their state by filing a suit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denies citizens of their state all 1,138 federal marriage benefits?
The Hartford Courant has the full story. The replies from the 3 Democratic candidates are listed below.
Cam Staples (D) stated that he would indeed defend state law and the citizens of Connecticut. “I agree with [Coakley's] position that DOMA violates the equal protection clause…I certainly think all Connecticut citizens deserve the same federal rights they enjoy under state law. I would certainly if we can join that suit…or find the right way to participate…Pursuing a suit against the federal government is certainly consistent with our responsibility to our citizens under state law.”
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The other 2 Democratic candidates strongly support marriage equality, but would like to research the legal arguments used against DOMA first. We’re certain that after researching the issue, those 2 candidates will come to the same conclusion as the Attorney General of Massachusetts and they will come out in support of defending the citizens of their state.
Susan Bysiewicz (D): “As attorney general, I would uphold the marriage laws of our state, which allow a man and a woman to marry, two women to marry and two men to marry. I have not seen the lawsuit the attorney general of Massachusetts has brought. I would like to look at that closely before I make a decision on this issue. I do not know what particular principles she is relying on.”
George Jepsen (D): Said he is consulting with attorneys to get a legal breakdown of Coakley’s case. But, he added, “I am very sympathetic to the cause” and noted his long public support for same-sex marriage.
Again, we look forward to hearing from those strong allies, Susan Bysiewicz and George Jepsen, in the coming weeks as to whether they would be willing to defend the citizens of their state by filing suit against DOMA, which denies those citizens all 1,138 federal marriage benefits.
Tagged: Cam Staples, Connecticut Attorney General, George Jepsen, Susan Bysiewicz
Massachusetts became the 1st state to sue the U.S. government on July 8, 2009 over the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies married same-sex couples all 1,138 federal marriage benefits. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley contends in the lawsuit that DOMA “constitutes an overreaching and discriminatory federal law.” You can view the full complaint 