Mike Ramone on Civil Rights

	Mike Ramone on Civil Rights

Delaware becomes 11th state to legalize gay marriage

HB75: This Act repeals the prohibition on same-gender marriage that was enacted in 1996.

Gubernatorial press release: Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry, making Delaware the 11th state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. "Today, we wrote a new chapter in our history and proved justice and equality continue to move forward in Delaware," said Gov. Markell

Heritage Foundation in opposition: There's still a sizeable number of people who believe that marriage is a union of one man and one woman. And those views deserve to be treated with respect. They come from honorable premises, especially those of faith. And what this bill is designed to do is to tar such people as being unfit to be in polite society and out of the public square.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 23-18-0 on Apr/23/13; passed Senate 12-9-0 on May/7/13; State Rep. Ramone co-sponsored and voted YES; signed by Gov. Markell on May/7/13.

Source: Delaware State Legislature voting records HB75 , Apr 23, 2013

Only Republican co-sponsor of state same-sex marriage bill

The only Republican co-sponsor of Delaware's same-sex marriage bill supports the measure because it's "the right thing" to do. He noted he has a gay son and several of those who have worked at the six flower shops and floral warehouse they own throughout Delaware are out. "Gay people have become very close to us. We just don't believe that they shouldn't be treated equally like everyone else and have the opportunity to get married." Source: Washington Blade on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race , Apr 18, 2013

Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Mike Ramone. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Mike Ramone. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Mike Ramone. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Mike Ramone. Click here for issue positions of other DE politicians. Click here for DE primary archives. Click here for DE secondary archives.
*Other governors on Civil Rights:*			*Mike Ramone on other issues:*
*DE Gubernatorial:* Bethany Hall-Long John Carney Matt Meyer *DE Senatorial:* Eric Hansen James DeMartino Jessica Scarane Lauren Witzke Lisa Blunt Rochester Mike Katz Tom Carper	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019) Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021) Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025 Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025 Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]