Leading up to the primary election on August 7, the Washington State Democrats will release 21 reasons that Washington cannot afford Rob McKenna. Today: McKenna’s discriminatory stance on marriage equality.
Although he has frequently tried to downplay the issue, Rob McKenna has taken a discriminatory stance against marriage equality, arguing a pro-marriage equality ruling in 2004 threatened “to destroy all standards we apply to the right of marriage,” and could, “leave marriage open to blood relatives or those practicing polygamy.” McKenna also said at the time that he supports the Defense of Marriage Act, and recently faced legal challenges in response to the biased language he proposed for the Referendum 74 ballot title.
He has often tried to hide from his prejudiced views by avoiding the debate and saying these rights should be left up to the voters. However, in the words of McKenna’s evangelical political consultant Steve Beren, “Muted opposition is still opposition.”
“Our state is committed to moving forward and eliminating discrimination,” said Benton Strong, communications director for the Washington State Democrats. “Despite McKenna’s rhetoric, he has fought and opposed equality consistently, whether it be through biased ballot language, as a candidate for attorney general, or his own words opposing full marriage equality. McKenna can’t sit on the fence on this — we need a governor who will stand up for equality for all Washingtonians.”
21 Reasons Washington Can’t Afford Rob McKenna
- Day 21: The Republican Budget Coup – McKenna cutting education funding despite his promises
Day 20: The Bobby Jindal Endorsement – Privatizing Public Education
Day 19: Corporate Sponsorship – McKenna advertises for huge campaign donors
Day 18: Letting Banks Off the Hook – McKenna blames homeowners, not Wall Street banks, for crashing our economy
Day 17: Workers’ Comp – McKenna wants to allow private insurance companies to take advantage of workers
Day 16: Failed Sunshine Committee – McKenna’s attempt at transparency just makes the problem worse
Day 15: Dodging the Press – McKenna avoids answering questions he is not prepared for by running from reporters
Day 14: Media Transparency – McKenna tries to keep the press out
Day 13: Ethics Issues – McKenna mixes campaigning and governing on the King County Council
Day 12: Fact Check – McKenna fails to explain his tax revenue claims
Day 11: Fact Check – McKenna campaigns with faulty data
Day 10: Fact Check – McKenna misstates rise in health care costs
Day 9: Fact Check – McKenna misrepresents King County budget takeover
Day 8: Fact Check – McKenna makes misleading staff cut claims
Day 7: Fact Check Video – McKenna’s loose relationship with the truth
Day 6: ACA Lawsuit – McKenna tries to take down the Affordable Care Act
Day 5: Flip-Flop: Medicaid Expansion – McKenna’s turn-around on Medicaid
Day 4: Flip-Flop: Affordable Care Act – McKenna backtracks on ACA repeal
Day 3: Women’s Rights – McKenna stays silent on reproductive rights
Day 2: 288,000 Voices – McKenna ignores the voices of the unemployed