In the midst of Florida’s gubernatorial race, the topic of the same-sex marriage ban keeps heating up.
First, in Monroe County, where a judge deemed the ban unconstitutional, and then just two weeks later, a Miami judge passed down the same ruling.
The rulings are starting to echo what could be a shift in public opinion on the issue, as well as support what the Democratic Party has been behind.
In response to the latest ruling, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist released this statement:
"This ruling is an important step in the fight for marriage equality. As governor, I will continue this fight so all Floridians have the right to marry the person they love."
And during a democratic event in west Pasco County on Saturday, former state Sen. Nan Rich, another Democratic candidate running for governor, hopes the rulings go further.
“I hope it moves all the way up to the state, and I hope that our attorney general stops her lawsuits against it,” said Rich.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appeals are just another way the Republican Party is pushing back.
Gov. Rick Scott’s office released the following statement:
“Gov. Scott respects the many views Floridians have on this issue. He believes in traditional marriage, consistent with the constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2008."
Whether the idea of “traditional marriage” has changed since then is something voters still have a couple of months to decide on as they select Florida’s next governor.