July 13, 2010 12:57 AM UTC

Garnett Challenges Suthers on DOMA Ruling

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• by: Colorado Pols

From a press release this morning–Democratic Attorney General Stan Garnett is pouncing on a decision last week by a federal court in Massachusetts that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. What’s interesting is the framing: Garnett is approaching the issue of DOMA from a states’ rights perpective, directly challenging incumbent John Suthers’ silence on a matter that should be right up Suthers’ alley–one way or the other–based on his history. Full release follows, says Garnett, “[m]y opponent appears to support states’ rights on a selectively partisan basis, and only on issues that are in line with his own political ideology.”

Press Release

Stan Garnett

For Our Attorney General

“Tough. Fair. On Your Side.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 12, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: Charlie Brennan

(720) 383-0133

Garnett Challenges Opponent on Massachusetts States’ Rights Decision

JULY 12 – An important decision was announced Thursday in Massachusetts when U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, is unconstitutional. Attorney General candidate Stan Garnett today agreed that states should have the right to decide important states’ rights issues, based on the Privileges and Immunities Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Garnett said, “This decision is an appropriate endorsement of states’ rights and local control, respecting the right of individual states to resolve important and controversial issues for themselves. As Attorney General, I will work to uphold the will of Colorado voters.”

In the past, John Suthers has justified his involvement of the Colorado Attorney General’s office in controversial and partisan litigation around the United States as being part of an effort to promote his personal view of “federalism” and “states’ rights.” Noting that Suthers has remained silent on last week’s important Massachusetts ruling, Garnett said, “My opponent appears to support states’ rights on a selectively partisan basis, and only on issues that are in line with his own political ideology.”

For additional information, contact Charlie Brennan at Charlie.brennan24@gmail.com. Also, please visit the campaign web site at GarnettforAG.com.

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