Former Republican governor, United States Senator and one of Washington’s most prominent and beloved statesmen, Dan Evans, today endorsed Referendum 74, joining 184 other federal, state and municipal elected officials who have stepped forward to speak out in favor of the state’s bipartisan marriage law and the freedom to marry. 

“As a Republican, I believe strongly in individual liberty and freedom,” said Dan Evans. “So, for me, approving Referendum 74, supporting our bipartisan marriage law, and giving everyone the freedom to marry the person they love, just seems right and reflects the fundamental value of fairness that we treasure here in Washington.”

“Voters have an opportunity to do the right thing for all Washington families, and that’s to vote ‘Approve’ on Referendum 74,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “Only marriage guarantees that all families are treated fairly and with respect. Referendum 74 is important for Washington families and it reflects our core values of liberty and freedom.”

“I am so proud of so many of my colleagues who took a journey on the question of marriage, and concluded that in Washington, we treat everyone fairly and with respect, and that includes giving people the freedom to marry the person they love,” said State Senator Ed Murray, the bill’s Senate sponsor. “Working on our bipartisan marriage law and now working to approve R-74 has proven that this is not a political issue, but rather a question of valuing all Washington families and treating them equally under the law.”

“As a Republican, I’ve endorsed Referendum 74 because I believe we should all have the freedom to marry the person we love,” said State Senator Steve Litzow of Mercer Island. “I was proud to support this bipartisan law on the floor of the State Senate, and I am proud to continue to support this measure that extends freedom to thousands of Washingtonians across the state.”

“I urge voters to mark ‘Approve’ on Referendum 74 and ensure that Washington makes history on Nov. 6th by embracing civil marriage equality,” said State Senator Derek Kilmer, candidate for the 6th Congressional district. “Especially during this economic downturn, allowing more families to access the protections of marriage and ensuring they live with as much certainty and dignity as possible, makes sense.”

State Rep. Jamie Pedersen, the marriage bill’s House sponsor, said, “Like all Washingtonians, legislators and other elected leaders have been working through deeply personal thoughts and feelings about what marriage means and the responsibility that our government has toward families in our state. It has been intensely gratifying to watch people who opposed even the first domestic partner law, meet our families, hear our stories, and come to the conclusion that justice and equality require allowing same-sex couples to marry. I feel hopeful that most Washington voters will come to the same conclusion and vote to approve Referendum 74.”

“This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. This is not about partisan politics, this is about loving families being able to be recognized by the state and their family as married,” said Derrick Skaug, Pullman City Council, At-Large Representative and the youngest elected official in Washington. “This is the generational issue of our time, whether we will embrace our neighbors or turn our back on them. As a representative of my generation, I am proud to say that we overwhelmingly support our gay friends and family members to live their lives free of limitations.””The freedom to marry transcends politics and party lines,” said Washington United for Marriage campaign chair Lacey All. “Beginning with the legislative process in Washington when Republicans crossed the aisle, and throughout this campaign, we’ve been inspired and supported by our broad and deep support at every government level.”

The full list of current and former elected officials who endorse approving Referendum 74 is below and online here: http://washingtonunitedformarriage.org/elected-official-endorsements/

President Barack Obama

U.S. Senator Patty Murray

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell

Governor Chris Gregoire

Former Congressman Jay Inslee, Candidate for Governor

Congressman Rick Larsen

Congressman Norm Dicks

Congressman Jim McDermott

Congressman Adam Smith

Suzan DelBene, Candidate for Congress, 1st CD

Mary Baechler, Candidate for Congress, 4th CD

Denny Heck, Candidate for Congress, 10th CD

Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen

Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn

Speaker of the House Frank Chopp

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown

State Senator Rosemary McAullife

State Rep. Luis Moscoso

State Rep. Derek Stanford

State Rep. Andy Billig

State Rep. Timm Ormsby

State Rep. Glenn Anderson

State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen

State Senator Margarita Prentice

State Rep. Bob Hasagawa

State Rep. Zach Hudgins

State Rep. Maureen Walsh

State Rep. Tim Probst

State Senator Brian Hatfield

State Rep. Dean Takko

State Rep. Brian Blake

State Rep. Mary Helen Roberts

State Rep. Marko Liias

State Senator Karen Fraser

State Rep. Sam Hunt

State Rep. Chris Reykdal

State Senator Christine Rolfes

State Rep. Sherry Appleton

State Rep. Drew Hansen

State Rep. Steve Tharinger

State Rep. Kevin van de Wege

State Senator Jim Kastama

State Senator Derek Kilmer

State Rep. Larry Seaquist

State Senator Debbie Regala

State Rep. Jeannie Darneille

State Rep. Laurie Jinkins

State Rep. Tami Green

State Rep. Troy Kelly

State Senator Steve Conway

State Rep. Connie Ladenburg

State Rep. Steve Kirby

State Senator Tracey Eide

State Senator Maralyn Chase

State Rep. Ruth Kagi

State Rep. Cindy Ryu

State Senator Karen Keiser

State Rep. Dave Upthegrove

State Rep. Tina Orwall

State Senator Sharon Nelson

State Rep. Eileen Cody

State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon

State Rep. Kathy Haigh

State Rep. Fred Finn

State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles

State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson

State Rep. Reuven Carlyle

State Senator Adam Kline

State Rep. Eric Pettigrew

State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos

State Senator Nick Harper

State Rep. Mike Sells

State Rep. John McCoy

State Senator Kevin Ranker

State Rep. Jeff Morris

State Rep. Kris Lytton

State Senator Steve Litzow

State Rep. Marcie Maxwell

State Rep. Judy Clibborn

State Senator Ed Murray

State Rep. Jamie Pedersen

State Senator Steve Hobbs

State Rep. Hans Dunshee

State Rep. Roger Goodman

State Rep. Larry Springer

State Senator David Frockt

State Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney

State Rep. Gerry Pollet

State Senator Rodney Tom

State Rep. Ross Hunter

State Rep. Deb Eddy

State Senator Craig Pridemore

State Rep. Jim Moeller

State Rep. Sharon Wylie

Former State Senator Cheryl Pflug

Former State Senator Bill Finkbeiner

Brian Gunn, Candidate for State Rep., 31st LD

Noel Frame, Candidate for State Rep., 36th LD

Eleanor Walters, Candidate for State Rep., 39th LD

Natalie McClendon, Candidate for State Rep., 42nd LD

Sylvester Cann, Candidate for State Rep., 46th LD

Jessyn Farrell, Candidate for State Rep., 46th LD

Sarajane Siegfriedt, Candidate for State Rep., 46th LD

King County Executive Dow Constantine

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott

King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson

King County Councilmember Larry Gossett

King County Councilmember Larry Phillips

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterburg

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy

Pierce County Councilmember Rick Talbert

Pierce County Councilmember Tim Farrell

Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist

Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart

Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan

San Juan County Councilmember Lovel Pratt

San Juan County Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld

Mayor of Seattle Mike McGinn

Seattle City Council President Sally Clark

Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess

Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata

Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw

Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin

Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden

Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien

Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes

Seattle Port Commissioner Gael Tarleton, Commission President

Seattle Port Commissioner John Creighton, Commission VP

Seattle Port Commissioner Rob Holland

Mayor of Tacoma Marilyn Strickland

Tacoma City Councilmember Anders Ibsen

Tacoma City Councilmember Jake Fey

Tacoma City Councilmember Lauren Walker

Tacoma City Councilmember Marty Campbell

Tacoma City Councilmember Victoria Woodards

Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello

Tacoma City Councilmember David Boe

Tacoma School Board Director Karen Vialle

Tacoma School Board Director Catherine Ushka-Hall

Tacoma Civil Service Boardmember Anita Latch

Mayor of Vancouver Tim Leavitt

Spokane City Councilmember Jon Snyder

Everett City Councilmember Paul Roberts

Mayor of Kent Suzette Cooke

Kent City Councilmember Elizabeth Albertson

Kent City Councilmember Dennis Higgins

Kent City Councilmember Jamie Perry

Mayor of Bellingham Kelli Linville

Bellingham City Councilmember Cathy Lehman

Bellingham City Councilmember Stan Snapp

Redmond City Councilmember Kim Allen

Redmond City Councilmember Hank Margeson

Mayor of Shoreline Keith McGlashan

Shoreline City Councilmember Chris Roberts

Shoreline City Councilmember Will Hall

Shoreline City Councilmember Doris McConnell

Shoreline City Councilmember Jesse Salamon

Shoreline City Councilmember Shari Winstead

Mayor of Kirkland Joan McBride

Edmonds City Councilmember Storm Peterson

Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas

Bremerton City Councilmember Leslie Daughs

Mayor of Burien Brian Bennett

Burien City Councilmember Jack Block Jr.

Burien City Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak

Burien City Councilmember Joan McGilton

University Place City Councilmember Eric Choiniere

Pullman City Councilmember Derrick Skaug

Mayor of Des Moinesmember Dave Kaplan

Des Moines City Councilmember Melissa Musser

Des Moines City Councilmember Carmen Scott

Deputy Mayor of SeaTac Mia Gregerson

Oak Harbor City Councilmember Tara Hizon

Mukilteo City Councilmember Jennifer Gregerson

Mukilteo City Councilmember Randy Lord

Mukilteo City Councilmember Richard Emery

Arlington City Councilmember Chris Raezer

Anacortes City Councilmember Erica Pickett

Mayor of Washougal Sean Guard

Mayor of Snohomish Karen Guzak

Gig Harbor City Councilmember Derek Young

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