NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Depending on how the election goes, pro-family forces could find themselves in alignment with an unlikely politician next year — the former chairman of Coors Brewing Co.
Pete Coors –- perhaps best known for his appearances in Coors beer commercials -– is running for an open U.S. Senate seat from Colorado. A Republican, Coors opposes same-sex “marriage” and abortion and supports the Federal Marriage Amendment.
“I believe marriage is between a man and woman,” he says in a statement on his website. “I oppose the activist judges who try to change the traditional definition of marriage.”
On abortion, Coors says: “I have a fundamental belief in the sanctity of human life. I am opposed to abortion.”
But before facing a Democrat in the general election, Coors must win the Republican primary. He is running against former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, a staunch pro-lifer who also favors the Federal Marriage Amendment.
The two are vying for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who is retiring.
Coors’ position on same-sex “marriage” has caused the beer company to distance itself from him. According to the Associated Press, Coors Chief Executive Leo Kiely released a statement June 3 saying: “We do not support discrimination against the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender community, via legislation or otherwise,”
Coors is the great-grandson of Coors founder Adolph Coors.
MO. DISPUTE SETTLED — Missouri Democrats have won the court battle with Republicans over when a state constitutional marriage amendment will appear on the ballot. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled June 3 that the amendment should be placed on the ballot in August — which the Democratic governor wanted — instead of in November, which Republicans wanted.
Although polls have shown marriage amendments to have support among all voters, Republicans tend to be more supportive. A November vote could have impacted the gubernatorial and presidential races by bringing out more GOP voters.
Although the Missouri Supreme Court did not order Secretary of State Matt Blunt to put the amendment on the August ballot, it said he “has a duty” do to so. A spokesman for Blunt said the secretary of state would put the amendment on the August ballot.
The dispute focused on technicalities of state law, specifically when the governor can place issues on the ballot.
STATE OF ORE. WINS — At least in the short term, the state of Oregon won’t have to register marriage licenses that Multnomah County issued to same-sex couples.
According to The Oregonian, the Oregon Court of Appeals temporarily halted Judge Frank Bearden’s order that the state must register the approximately 3,000 licenses issued by the county. Bearden’s ruling also ordered the county to stop issuing the licenses to same-sex couples.
Both sides expect that the case eventually will end up before the Oregon Supreme Court. Pro-family groups in the state have begun a petition drive in hopes of placing a marriage amendment before voters this fall. They have launched a website: www.defenseofmarriagecoalition.com.
SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENT UP — Support for a federal constitutional marriage amendment appears to be slightly up following Massachusetts’ legalization of same-sex “marriage” May 17.
According to a CBS News poll released May 30, 60 percent of Americans support “an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow marriage only between a man and a woman.” That is up from a March poll that showed support at 59 percent. It is the first time in the last year that a major news organization’s poll has shown amendment support to be at least 60 percent.
Thirty-five percent of adults say they would not vote for a candidate who disagrees with them on the issue of same-sex “marriage.”
The poll of 1,113 adults was conducted May 20-23.
CALIFORNIANS STILL OPPOSED — The percentage of California voters opposed to same-sex “marriage” has increased since February, although there is a wide gap on the issue between voters in the two parties, according to a new Field Poll.
Overall, Californians oppose same-sex “marriage” by a margin of 53-43 percent. In February opposition stood at 50 percent. Republican voters oppose legalization by a margin of 76-18 percent, while Democrats support same-sex “marriage” by a 58-38 percent margin.
The Federal Marriage Amendment also divides voters. Overall, California voters oppose it by a margin of 54-41 percent. But 61 percent of Republican voters favor it while 64 percent of Democratic voters oppose it.
The poll of 745 voters was conducted May 18-24.
PRESSURE IN OHIO — Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell wants to see the state’s U.S. senators support the Federal Marriage Amendment. He and some 50 supporters gathered outside the offices of Sens. Mike DeWine and George Voinovich in Columbus May 21 to say that a federal constitutional marriage amendment is necessary.
“Our own senators have refused to sign on and support the same-sex marriage amendment,” Blackwell said, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. “It is not enough to leave it up to the 50 state legislatures.”
Both Senators are Republicans.
ENOUGH SIGNATURES IN ARK.? — A drive to place a state constitutional marriage amendment on the November ballot in Arkansas appears on its way to success.
The Arkansas Marriage Amendment Committee told the AP it has more than 99,000 signatures — more than the 80,570 required by the June 25 deadline. But the committee is seeking 150,000 in case the secretary of state throws out several thousand signatures as being invalid.
ANOTHER ANGLICAN CONTROVERSY — The Anglican Church of Canada approved a statement June 3 that affirms “the integrity and sanctity of committed adult same sex relationships.”
The vote is sure to frustrate conservatives in the worldwide body who say the denomination has rejected biblical authority.
MARRIAGE AMENDMENT UPDATE — The number of Federal Marriage Amendment sponsors in the U.S. House stands at 122. Three added their names to the list in May: Reps. Michael Oxley of Ohio, Michael Bilirakis of Florida and Candice Miller of Michigan. Rep. Anne Northup of Kentucky added her name June 1. All four are Republicans.
The number of Senate supporters stands at 15. Only one senator became a co-sponsor in May — Mississippi Republican Thad Cochran.
The amendment bill is HJR 56 in the House and SJR 30 in the Senate.
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For more information about the national debate over same-sex “marriage,” visit
https://www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage
