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AP: Gay marriage within reach in WA legislature

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By The Associated Press
OLYMPIA, WA (AP) -

Washington's Legislature is on the verge of having enough support to approve gay marriage, with votes continuing to realign in the state Senate.

In contacts with all 49 senators over the past week, The Associated Press found that more lawmakers are now firmly supporting gay marriage than opposing it. That margin currently stands at 22-18, and the measure needs 25 votes to pass the Senate.

Four other Democrats say they are considering whether to support it, including one who is leaning in favor. A pair of Republicans are among those supporting the proposal, and two first-term members of the GOP say they are still discussing the issue with constituents.

The state House is widely expected to have enough support to pass gay marriage, and Gov. Chris Gregoire publicly endorsed gay marriage for the first time last week.

 

Name Party Hometown Supports gay marriage? Explanation
Rosemary McAuliffe D Bothell Uncommitted She is leaning toward supporting it but is not ready to commit.
Brian Hatfield D Raymond Uncommitted He is grappling with the issue. "I'm still torn."
Jim Kastama D Puyallup Uncommitted He planned to discuss the issue with constituents. "I'm undecided."
Paull Shin D Edmonds Uncommitted He said he is considering it but didn't want to discuss his thinking.
Mary Margaret Haugen D Camano Island Uncommitted She would not support anything that didn't allow a vote of the people.
Andy Hill R Redmond Uncommitted He said he wants to discuss the issue with his constituents.
Joe Fain R Auburn Uncommitted He said he wants to discuss the issue with his constituents.
Linda Evans Parlette R Wenatchee Uncommitted She was noncommittal but said the people should vote if it passes.
Doug Ericksen R Ferndale Uncommitted He declined to discuss his vote. "I don't know. I have no opinion."
Lisa Brown D Spokane Yes
Maralyn Chase D Shoreline Yes
Steve Conway D Tacoma Yes
Tracey Eide D Federal Way Yes
Karen Fraser D Olympia Yes
David Frockt D Seattle Yes
Nick Harper D Everett Yes
Steve Hobbs D Lake Stevens Yes
Karen Keiser D Kent Yes
Derek Kilmer D Gig Harbor Yes
Adam Kline D Seattle Yes
Jeanne Kohl-Welles D Seattle Yes
Ed Murray D Seattle Yes
Sharon Nelson D Seattle Yes
Margarita Prentice D Renton Yes
Craig Pridemore D Vancouver Yes
Kevin Ranker D Orcas Island Yes
Debbie Regala D Tacoma Yes
Christine Rolfes D Bainbridge Island Yes
Rodney Tom D Bellevue Yes
Steve Litzow R Mercer Island Yes
Cheryl Pflug R Maple Valley Yes
James Hargrove D Hoquiam No
Tim Sheldon D Potlatch No
Michael Baumgartner R Spokane No
Randi Becker R Eatonville No
Don Benton R Vancouver No
Mike Carrell R Lakewood No
Jerome Delvin R Richland No
Mike Hewitt R Walla Walla No
Janea Holmquist Newbry R Moses Lake No
Jim Honeyford R Sunnyside No
Curtis King R Yakima No
Bob Morton R Kettle Falls No
Mike Padden R Spokane Valley No
Pam Roach R Auburn No
Mark Schoesler R Ritzville No
Val Stevens R Arlington No
Dan Swecker R Rochester No
Joseph Zarelli R Ridgefield No

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)