Democratic and Republican candidates for the 2016 United States Presidential Elections publicly announced their stance on same-sex marriage on Friday, June 26. The Supreme Court interpreted the U.S. Constitution in the historic case of Obergefell vs. Hodges that ruled the legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 U.S states. The Court mandated that same-sex marriage is a right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Prior to the decision, 38 states had legalized it.
"No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws," states the Fourteenth Amendment.
The four Democratic candidates who publicly declared their bid for the 2016 Presidential Elections are Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley, Bernie Sanders, and Lincoln Chafee. The thirteen declared Republican party candidates are Jeb Bush, Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Lindsey Graham, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, George Pataki, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, and Rand Paul. Christianity Daily compiled a list of responses from the Presidential candidates on same-sex marriage.
Democratic Party:
1) "Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality"”& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible," tweeted Hillary Clinton.
2) "Today, the Supreme Court affirmed that marriage is a human right - not a state right. I'm grateful to the people of Maryland for leading the way on this important issue of human dignity and equality under the law. The American Dream is strongest when all are included," Martin O'Malley
3) "This decision is a victory for same-sex couples across our country as well as all those seeking to live in a nation where every citizen is afforded equal rights. For far too long our justice system has marginalized the gay community and I am very glad the Court has finally caught up to the American people," said Bernie Sanders.
4) "Congratulations to Supreme Court on today's good ruling for marriage equality! #chafee2016," tweeted Lincoln Chafee.
Republican Party:
1) "In a country as diverse as ours, good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate," said Jeb Bush.
2) "The Supreme Court decision today conveniently and not surprisingly follows public opinion polls, and tramples on states' rights that were once protected by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. Marriage between a man and a woman was established by God, and no earthly court can alter that," said Bobby Jindal.
3) "I will not acquiesce to an imperial court any more than our Founders acquiesced to an imperial British monarch. We must resist and reject judicial tyranny, not retreat," said Mike Huckabee.
4) "Now is the people's opportunity respond because the future of the institution of marriage is too important to not have a public debate. The Court is one of three co-equal branches of government and, just as they have in cases from Dred Scott to Plessy, the Court has an imperfect track record," said Rick Santorum.
5) "Given the quickly changing tide of public opinion on this issue, I do not believe that an attempt to amend the U.S. Constitution could possibly gain the support of three-fourths of the states or a supermajority in the U.S. Congress," said Lindsey Graham.
6) "This is only the latest example of an activist Court ignoring its constitutional duty to say what the law is and not what the law should be," said Carly Fiorina.
7) "While I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court's decision, their ruling is now the law of the land to me, and millions like me, marriage is a religious service not a government form," said Ben Carson
8) "This decision short-circuits the political process that has been underway on the state level for years. While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law. As we look ahead, it must be a priority of the next president to nominate judges and justices committed to applying the Constitution as written and originally understood," said Marco Rubio.
9) "It's never been an argument that's been discussed with me very much. People know that it's not my thing one way or the other," said Donald Trump in an interview.
"Once again the Bush appointed Supreme Court Justice John Roberts has let us down. Jeb pushed him hard! Remember!" tweeted Donald Trump.
10) "I think it's a really complicated issue. I've always said that the states have a right to decide. I do believe in traditional marriage, Kentucky has decided it, and I don't think the federal government should tell us otherwise. There are states that have decided in the opposite fashion, and I don't think the federal government should tell anybody or any state government how they should decide this. Marriage has been a state issue for hundreds of years. DOMA is complicated, though, because DOMA does provide protection for the states from the federal government. But, then part of it federalizes the issue. I think the way to fix DOMA is maybe to try to make all of our laws more neutral towards the issue, and I don't want the government promoting something I don't believe in," said Rand Paul in an interview.
11) "Religious liberty has never been more threatened in America than right now today,'' said Ted Cruz.
12) "Governing is about solving problems and putting people before politics," tweeted George Pataki.
13) "I'm a firm believer in traditional marriage, and I also believe the 10th Amendment leaves it to each state to decide this issue. #SCOTUS," tweeted Rick Perry.
