NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY

1506 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, North Carolina 27605

Tele. (919) 828-6423 · Fax (919) 899-3815 · www.NCGOP.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:               FOR MORE INFORMATION

Friday, October 27, 2006                      Bill Peaslee, (919) 828-6423

 

What Stands In Between North Carolina and Homosexual Marriage?

Seven Supreme Court Justices

 

(RALEIGH) – Wednesday, New Jersey’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of granting same-sex couples the rights given to heterosexual couples in New Jersey.  The court ruled that under the New Jersey constitution “committed same-sex couples must be afforded on equal terms the same rights and benefits enjoyed by married opposite-sex couples.”

 

“What happened in New Jersey is a prime example of what can happen when liberals are in charge of the courts,” said Ferrell Blount, State Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.  “The New Jersey Supreme Court decision shows how liberal judges can change the law and subvert the will of the people by interpreting state constitutions. That is why North Carolina needs to elect Republican judges.” 

 

North Carolina has ratified a Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.  However, the liberal Democrat leadership in both the NC House and Senate never allowed the Defense of Marriage Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution, which would have protected the institution of marriage from misinterpretation, to be brought to a vote despite bipartisan support in the General Assembly.

 

“Only conservative justices on the North Carolina Supreme Court stand in the way of a liberal trial court judge ruling that homosexuals have a right to marry under the North Carolina Constitution,” added Ferrell Blount.  “Until we can replace the Democrat majority in the General Assembly, North Carolina needs a Republican majority on the Supreme Court.”

 

Four of the seven members of the North Carolina Supreme Court are up for election this year, bringing the possibility of major changes to the interpretation of North Carolina’s constitution after the election. 

 

 “Following the election, our newly elected Supreme Court will have the power to interpret our constitution,” said Ferrell Blount. “We need a Supreme Court that will defend the constitution as it is written, not interpret it to its members’ liking.”

 

For a list of judicial candidates endorsed by the North Carolina Republican Party, visit www.RepublicanJudges.com. 

 

 

###