New Jersey state Senator Raymond
Lesniak on Thursday said a proposed gay marriage bill could have
sufficient support to override a veto from Governor Chris Christie.
Lesniak told The
Wall Street Journal that he estimates there are between 24
and 27 votes in the Senate in favor of making New Jersey the seventh
state to legalize gay marriage. Twenty-seven votes are needed to
override a governor's veto.
“I'm wishing and hoping,” Lesniak
told the paper.
Among senators in favor of the measure,
23 are Democrats and 4 are Republicans, said Lesniak, a Democrat and
co-sponsor of the legislation.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheila
Oliver has said there is sufficient support for passage of the bill
in the Assembly, and that she would work toward the 54 votes needed
to override a governor's veto.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will
begin debate on the bill on Tuesday.
New Jersey currently recognizes gay and
lesbian couples with civil unions, but proponents of marriage
equality say such unions are flawed.