Former Senator Nan Rich, a Democratic candidate for Governor, is saying that ending the Defense of Marriage Act is not enough and that all Floridians should be able to marry the ones they love.
Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA, Rick Scott announced he fully supports continuing Florida’s ban of same-sex marriage despite the historic ruling toward justice and equality. Nan Rich is ready to take Scott to task in this election.
“As Governor, I will work to pass a new constitutional amendment that will allow Florida to join the rapidly growing ranks of marriage-equality states,” Rich said in an email to her supporters. “Fairness and equality are core principles that define us as Democrats. We believe the civil rights of every individual must be protected regardless of race, creed, gender, age, or sexual orientation. I have always supported and fought for these principles and rights.”
Fighting for equality and fairness for the LGBT Community is nothing new for Nan Rich. In the State Senate, Rich fought for legislation that would allow gays and lesbians to adopt without fear of being disqualified because of their sexual orientation. “It was the right thing to do and ultimately the courts agreed. As a result, hundreds of children across Florida now have permanent, loving, forever homes,” Rich said.
Charlie Crist is rumored to challenge Rich in the Democratic primary and this issue exemplifies a key difference in the choice for Florida Democrats. Crist was a Republican, turned Independent, who is now a Democrat preparing the run for Governor again. In the period before his political transformation, he supported Florida’s ban on gay marriage, signing the petition to put it on the ballot and voting for the constitutional measure in 2008. “I voted for it,” Crist said. “It’s what I believe in.” During his 2010 Senate run, Crist said he supported civil unions for legal protections. He says he now supports full marriage equality though.
And that’s the difference: Nan Rich has never compromised what she believes in and she has not wavered on key Democratic issues. Crist’s record is full of flip-flops.
“We need a Democratic Governor to lead Florida again — a strong Democrat who will set new priorities and get Florida back on the right track,” Rich ended.
