Christie Withdraws Appeal of Gay Marriage Ruling
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie dropped his legal challenge to gay marriage in New Jersey today, only hours after same-sex couples began exchanging wedding vows throughout the state.
Christie’s unexpected decision to withdraw his appeal of a major case at the state Supreme Court marks the end of a decade-long legal battle. It means that a lower-court ruling allowing gay couples to marry in New Jersey stands as the law.
New Jersey is now the 14th state to legalize gay marriage, and the first to do so in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in June striking down the Defense of Marriage Act.
“Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,” said Colin Reed, a spokesman for Christie. “The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.” […]