Brunner vs. Fischer: Marriage Equality

Picture from Law Dork, 2.0
Back to the upcoming (2010) election for Senate, the Gay People's Chronicle (out of Cleveland) talks about an important difference between the two declared Democratic candidates -- Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner -- for the US Senate: marriage equality. From the Chronicle:

Both [Fisher and Brunner] have longstanding relationships with the LGBT community and have used their political careers to help advance equality, making it difficult for those who vote on those issues to pick an early favorite.

That may be changing, however, as marriage equality has emerged as the issue separating the Democrats.

Brunner favors it. Fisher doesn’t, but is open to being convinced...

Brunner unequivocally believes that same-sex partners should have the right to marry. She does not put any qualifications on it, nor attempt any equivocation. It is a belief she has held publicly since 1989.

Fisher said, “I am in favor of civil unions, but I have questions about marriage.”

In his defense, Fisher, later in the article, indicates that he is still forming his opinion, specifically stating that he's not sure "whether civil unions will be sufficient or not." I think that's a credit to him. However, I am proud of my girl Jennifer for stepping up to the plate so early in support of full equality.

A few others are hinting at a run in 2010, but nothing has been made official. Tyrone Yates, for example, is currently campaigning but has not declared.