#  These GOP Senate candidates oppose marriage equality. They have a chance at winning

     Details    Andrew Godinich   ![logo](https://www.citywatchla.com//templates/ja_teline_v/images/logo.png)         August 01 2022      [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2022/061o.jpg)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/25205-these-gop-senate-candidates-oppose-marriage-equality-they-have-a-chance-at-winning)

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> LGBTQ POLITICS - Last week, [157 ](https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373)[House Republicans](https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373) voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which would enshrine the right to same-sex and interracial marriage into law.

 [Every House Democrat](https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373) voted in favor of the bill. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the legislation in August.

Retiring Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have [signaled their support ](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/07/mystery-republican-senators-vote-marriage-equality/)for the legislation. However, their potential replacements and a majority of 2022 Republican Senate candidates fiercely oppose marriage equality — despite [94%](https://news.gallup.com/poll/354638/approval-interracial-marriage-new-high.aspx) of Americans supporting interracial marriages and [71% supporting](https://news.gallup.com/poll/393197/same-sex-marriage-support-inches-new-high.aspx)same-sex marriage. Here’s where Republican Senate candidates in competitive elections stand:

## **Ohio**

**State of Play:** Rob Portman (R-OH) is retiring. The seat is open.

**Republican Nominee:** J.D. Vance

- Vance [would vote “no” on the Respect for Marriage Act](https://www.missionamerica.com/article/jd-vance-says-he-would-vote-no-on-same-sex-marriage/)
- Recently, Vance [suggested](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/07/jd-vance-excuses-violent-marriages-opposes-sex-marriages/) that people in “violent” marriages should not get divorced. The potential senator emphasized that children live happier and healthier lives with a mother and father engaged in domestic violence compared to children raised by non-violent LGBTQ parents.

## **North Carolina**

**State of Play:** Thom Tillis (R-NC) is retiring. The seat is open.

**Republican Nominee: Ted Budd

- Budd [voted “no” on the Respect for Marriage Act.](https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373)
- Budd said he would “[defend marriage as an institution of one man and one woman](https://web.archive.org/web/20160923212120/http:/tedbudd.com/why-ted-is-running/).”

## **Missouri**

**State of Play:** Roy Blunt (R-MO) is retiring. The seat is open.

**Republican Candidate:** Vicky Hartzler

- Hartzler [skipped the vote on marriage equality](https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022373).
- Hartzler [introduced legislation](https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article260325890.html) to protect the Defense of Marriage Act, which legally defined marriage between one man and one woman.
- Hartzler also bragged about leading a statewide campaign to oppose marriage equality.

## **Nevada**

**State of Play:** Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) is running for reelection.

**Republican Nominee:** Adam Laxalt

- Laxalt has refused to take a position on the Respect for Marriage Act.
- Laxalt said he [believes marriage is between one man and one woman](https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-ag-candidates-split-on-gay-marriage/) and in 2014 pledged to defend Nevada’s same-sex marriage ban.

## **Georgia**

**State of Play:** Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is running for reelection.

**Republican Nominee:** Herschel Walker

- Hershchel Walker has refused to take a position on the Respect for Marriage Act.
- When asked whether he would “stop the gay weddings,” Walker said that “[each state should determine that](https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/the-jolt-david-perdues-last-stand-includes-racist-insult-of-stacey-abrams/XSEGFPO7BZBTRFZVXCSCM4GRKA/).”

## **Arizona**

**State of Play:** Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is running for reelection.

**Republican Candidate: Blake Masters

- Masters has refused to take a position on the Respect for Marriage Act.
- Masters said [same-sex marriage should be banned](https://www.thedailybeast.com/arizona-senate-candidate-blake-masters-views-on-gay-marriage-may-surprise-his-political-master-peter-thiel), even though he attended the same-sex wedding of his billionaire Big Tech backer Peter Thiel.

## **New Hampshire**

**State of Play: Maggie Hassan (D-NH) is running for reelection.

**Republican Candidate: Kevin Smith

- Smith has refused to take a position on the Respect for Marriage Act.
- Smith tried to repeal marriage equality after the Granite State became the sixth state to legalize it.

In the wake of [Justice Clarence Thomas’ dissent](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/24/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-justice-thomas-says-gay-rights-rulings-open-to-be-tossed.html) in the decision striking down *Roe v. Wade*, rights guaranteed through *Obergefell v. Hodges* and *Lawrence v. Texas have been called into question.

Republican Senate candidates have made clear they support an erosion of equality protections, making their extremist views on marriage equality, abortion access, and other freedoms central to their campaigns.

If they win in November, more protections for the LGBTQ community could be on the chopping block.

*(Andrew Godinich is the Senior Director of Communications for American Bridge 21st Century. He has worked on a number of political campaigns and on Capitol Hill.)*

  - [  Previous Article **Sen. Tammy Baldwin Thinks She Has The 10 Republicans Needed To Pass Marriage Bill** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25224:sen-tammy-baldwin-thinks-she-has-the-10-republicans-needed-to-pass-marriage-bill&catid=380)
- [  Next Article **Donald Trump Describes LGBTQ People As “Sickos” In Speech Signaling 2024 Run** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25173:donald-trump-describes-lgbtq-people-as-sickos-in-speech-signaling-2024-run&catid=380)
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