Peter Schwartzkopf, who is expected to
become Delaware's next House Speaker, favors gay marriage.
The 57-year-old Schwartzkopf told
DelawareOnline.com that a bill which would legalize gay marriage is
likely to come before the General Assembly next year.
Schwartzkopf represents Rehoboth Beach,
an eclectic beach community marketed as a gay travel destination.
Marriage equality, the Democrat said,
is a “no-brainer” and “the right thing to do.”
“I expect it to come up,” he
said. “I have no idea what the votes are.”
Schwartzkopf, the current House
Majority Leader, is campaigning to replace retiring Bob Gilligan, a
Democrat from Sherwood Park, as the next Speaker.
Delaware lawmakers last year approved a
law which recognizes gay and lesbian couples with civil unions, a
move strongly supported by Democratic Governor Jack Markell.
Last month, Markell told The
Huffington Post that he was willing to offer similar support for
a gay marriage bill. He added that he believes the General Assembly
“probably will” take up the issue next year.