Three-term Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine today announced her support of same-sex marriage. Snowe, who retired last year, was seen as a bridge-builder between the parties and level-headed on many issues.
“I think obviously this has evolved over time on the whole issue for the whole country and the nations,” Snowe told CNN:
“We’ve seen a sea change in society’s whole attitude on this particular issue and it’s only natural for government to be responsive to those changes.”
Snowe said she supported Maine’s provision permitting marriage between same-sex couples in November, a position she hasn’t previously stated. That measure passed, making Maine one of nine U.S. states that allow same-sex marriage.
“The time has come,” she continued. “I think what we’re seeing is, I think, changing societal conventions, that ultimately you see the transformation of society’s gradual thinking and evolving on issues. I think we’re seeing those sea changes on this particular question.”
Snowe, who last year pointed to a hyper-partisan and dysfunctional culture in Congress as her motivation for retiring, served the state of Maine with Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has not voiced support for marriage equality, but, like Snowe, is seen as a moderate.
Currently, there are 53 sitting U.S. Senators who have voiced support for the right of same-sex couples to marry, including 49 Democrats, two Independents, and two Republicans.
Sean Sullivan at The Washington Post today mused on who might be next. His list:
1) Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
2) Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
3) Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.)
4) Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.)
5) Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.)
6) Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)