Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009: on Civil Rights


Bob McDonnell: Authored amendment protecting traditional marriage

Bob McDonnell believes marriage is the union between one man and one woman. As a legislator, Bob McDonnell was author of a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage (Chief Patron, HJ 187, 2004). As Attorney General, Bob supported Virginia's marriage amendment and wrote an official opinion explaining that it would not affect the current legal rights of unmarried persons.

In the House of Delegates, Bob McDonnell was twice named "Legislator of the Year" by the Virginia Family Foun

Source: 2009 VA Gubernatorial campaign site, bobmcdonnell.com Jul 21, 2009

Chris Christie: Marriage exclusively between one man and one woman

I believe marriage should be exclusively between one man and one woman. While, I have no issue with same sex couples sharing contractual rights, I believe that marriage should remain the exclusive domain of one man and one woman. If a bill legalizing same sex marriage came to my desk as Governor, I would veto it. If the law were changed by judicial fiat, I would be in favor of a constitutional amendment on the ballot so that voters, not judges, would decide this important social question.
Source: 2009 Gubernatorial campaign website, christiefornj.com Jul 21, 2009

Jennifer Granholm: Support Latino-owned businesses via Buy Michigan First

Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, granholmforgov.com Nov 7, 2006

Jennifer Granholm: Supports civil unions & domestic partner benefits

Appointments that Reflects ‘One Michigan.’ Governor Granholm has appointed the most diverse cabinet in the history of the state. She appointed dozens of qualified openly GLBT people to key positions in state government, including an openly gay man as her Chief of Staff and the first openly gay judge.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, granholmforgov.com Nov 7, 2006

Mike Rounds: Marriage should be between a man and a woman

On Amendment “C” Define Marriage: “Personally, I will vote YES because I just simply believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman.”
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, roundsforgov.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Sarah Palin: Marriage only between one man and one woman

I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman. I am opposed to any expansion of gambling in Alaska.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, palinforgovernor.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Ted Kulongoski: Expand opportunities for minority and women small business

Governor Ted Kulongoski recently joined a group minority and women small business owners for a roundtable discussion about how the state can strengthen and expand opportunities for small businesses in Oregon. This new legislation will require all state agencies to report their contract awards to the Governor’s Advocate for Minority and Women Businesses, which will enable the state for the first time to track how state contracts are awarded to Minority, Women and Emerging Small Businesses.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, www.tedforgov.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Ted Kulongoski: No sexual orientation discrimination; OK to civil union

Governor Kulongoski believes that a fundamental right of every Oregonian is equal treatment under law, which is why the Governor sponsored legislation to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and provide legal protections and recognition of committed, same-sex relationships through a civil union. While the legislation did not pass this session, the Governor remains a tireless supporter of equal rights for all Oregonians and will continue to carry this issue as a priority for Oregon’s future
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, www.tedforgov.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Jodi Rell: Only governor to sign civil unions without a court order

Protecting civil rights - for all. Governor Rell signed into law landmark civil unions legislation, declaring Connecticut will not tolerate discrimination in any form. The Governor received the Log Cabin Republican’s “Spirit of Lincoln Award” - the group’s highest honor - in recognition of “her steadfast support of the gay and lesbian citizens of Connecticut and for being the only U.S. governor to sign civil unions legislation without a court order.”
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website jodirell06.com, “Issues” Sep 18, 2006

Christy Mihos: Supports marriage for same-sex couples, but OK on ballot

Christy supports marriage for same-sex couples, but believes that the issue should appear on the ballot. Christy supports adoption rights for same-sex couples.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, www.christy2006.com Jul 16, 2006

Chris Gabrieli: Supports same-sex marriage; opposes constitutional amendment

Q: Do you support same-sex marriage or the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Massachusetts?

A: Yes, I support same-sex marriage. And no, I strongly oppose the proposed constitutional amendment. Same-sex couples deserve all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage as heterosexual couples, and I will strongly oppose any proposals that seek to limit this right.

Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, gabrieli.org, “FAQs” Jun 3, 2006

Grace Ross: End racial discrimination

Source: 2006 gubernatorial campaign website, www.graceandwendy.org Jun 3, 2006

Grace Ross: Supports marriage equality

Source: 2006 gubernatorial campaign website, www.graceandwendy.org Jun 3, 2006

Tom Reilly: Investigated clergy sexual abuse in Boston Archdiocese

When reports surfaced about the widespread sexual abuse of children by clergy in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Tom stood up to the church hierarchy and its lawyers and forced them to release all records related to abusive priests. His office investigated the actions of church management and issued a landmark report that detailed their complete failure to protect children from abuse and presented the steps necessary to make sure this terrible tragedy was never repeated.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, www.tomreilly.org Jan 8, 2006

Arianna Huffington: Supports same-sex unions with full rights

On the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry: Arianna strongly supports same-sex unions with full rights. She believes that the equal protection clause of the constitution applies to everyone, not just heterosexuals - and that the rights and privileges of marriage should not be denied to same-sex couples.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, AriannaForGov.com Aug 15, 2003

Arianna Huffington: Supports affirmative action wholeheartedly

On Affirmative Action: Arianna supports affirmative action wholeheartedly. She believes that racism continues to play a powerful role in this country, and that affirmative action helps to level the playing field so that everyone can compete fairly.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, AriannaForGov.com Aug 15, 2003

Arianna Huffington: Prop. 54 is a racist gag order

On Proposition 54: Arianna opposes Proposition 54. This is not a “Racial Privacy Initiative” - it’s a Racist Gag Order that would end up preventing the state from fighting against racism. Prop 54 would prohibit the state from collecting racial data. This would allow government agencies to get away with racial discrimination without leaving paper trail. It would also mask the particular needs and problems of different communities - like the prevalence of sickle cell anemia among African-Americans.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, AriannaForGov.com Aug 15, 2003

Shannon O'Brien: Protect civil rights of gays; allow civil unions

Shannon supports full and equal rights for gay & lesbian citizens, and believes that committed couples should be able to enter into civil unions and receive full benefits and protections in Massachusetts. She opposes the “defense of marriage” legislation as well as the constitutional amendment proposals that would forever deny these protections to the families of gay men and women. Shannon believes that recognizing gay and lesbian families will strengthen communities and families.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, ObrienGabrieli.com/issues/ Sep 17, 2002

  • The above quotations are from Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Linda Lingle on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jim Douglas on Civil Rights.
Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018