Arkansas Attorney General Dustin
McDaniel said Saturday that he supports marriage equality, but will
continue to defend the state's ban on gay marriage.
“I want to tell you I do support
marriage equality and I do believe Arkansans should have the right to
be equal in the eyes of the law,” McDaniel, a Democrat, is
quoted as saying by the AP.
The state's 2004 voter-approved
constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a
woman is being challenged in court. The judge reviewing the case
said this week that he expects to hand down a ruling by Friday, May
9.
(Related: Arkansas
gay marriage ruling expected May 9.)
“I'm going to zealously defend our
constitution, but at the same time I think it's important to let
people know where I stand on the matter,” McDaniel said.
A handful of Democratic state attorneys
general have refused to defend similar bans.
While campaigning for his job in 2006,
McDaniel voiced support for civil unions.