Gov. Christie drops gay-marriage challenge, says NJ state supreme court has spoken
Gov. Chris Christie. L.E.MORMILE / Shutterstock.com
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has dropped his challenge to gay marriage after an adverse decision on Friday by the state supreme court
Christie had sought to stay a trial judge’s September order requiring the state to recognize gay marriages beginning on Oct. 21, but the New Jersey Supreme Court refused his request on Friday, report the New York Times and the New Jersey Star-Ledger. Gay couples began marrying shortly after midnight today, the Star-Ledger and the Times report in separate stories.
Today, Christie dropped the legal challenge, the stories say. A spokesperson said the New Jersey Supreme Court had “spoken clearly” in its unanimous opinion on Friday. The statement cited this language in the opinion: “Same-sex couples who cannot marry are not treated equally under the law today.”
The statement by the Christie administration said “the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people,” but the court “has now spoken clearly.”
“The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court,” the statement said.
