OCA in Washington Times Article on Ohio Political Campaigns and Gay Marriage

Gay marriage stances in Ohio races true to parties

By JULIE CARR SMYTH - Associated Press - Friday, October 17, 2014 Published in the Washington Times

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The judicial climate on gay marriage may be tumultuous, but opinions on the issue in Ohio's top statewide races remain predictably tied to a candidate's political party.

Republican Gov. John Kasich and GOP Attorney General Mike DeWine support marriage between a man and a woman.

Kasich told The Associated Press this week that he supports Ohio's 2003 constitutional amendment upholding heterosexual marriage and doesn't have any plans for that to change. He said he's awaiting the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals out of Cincinnati to rule on the issue like everyone else.

"We have a constitutional amendment here, and it remains in place until something changes," Kasich said.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald and attorney general candidate David Pepper support gay marriage and praise federal court rulings that have upheld it in other states.

FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County executive, portrays himself as the first gubernatorial candidate in state history to support "full equality" in marriage, employment and housing, telling potential contributors "we deserve a governor who will make sure Ohio is on the right side of history."

DeWine continues to defend Ohio's constitutional ban in court. Campaign spokesman Ryan Stubenrauch said that's the attorney general's job.

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OCA President Chris Long is quoted-

Chris Long, president of the Ohio Christian Alliance, said he doesn't believe the many Ohio voters who oppose gay marriage are going to change their position just because the country's political winds may be shifting."Obviously, as people of faith, we're not going to change our views and values as to what may happen in the general society or as the court makes decisions," he said. "In our view, it's not over for any stretch of the imagination. We will continue to defend traditional marriage."