New Jersey governor Chris Christie dropped his challenge to same-sex marriage on Monday, making New Jersey the fourteenth state in the U.S. where gay and lesbian couples can marry.
Christie’s appeal, if approved, would have overruled a court decision to allow same-sex marriages in his state. The governor initially moved to block the decision, but the State Supreme Court rejected Christie’s demands and ruled that an appeal would need to be resolved. The appeal was scheduled to be heard in January.
While Christie still opposes same-sex marriage, the governor acknowledged that the court had already made its decision.
“Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,” said a spokesman for Christie. “The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.”
In a poll, New Jersey residents had voted 2 to 1 for Christie to drop the appeal and render same-sex marriage legal in the state.
There is now discussion as to whether the new developments will hurt Christie as he runs for re-election as New Jersey governor, especially as expert predictions have him taking the seat once again. Speculations have appeared that Christie’s decision to drop the appeal may damage his run to be the 2016 Republican Presidential candidate, but no clear call can be made thus far.