South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson on
Monday endorsed gay marriage, leaving only 3 Democratic senators
opposed.
“After lengthy consideration, my
views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality
legislation,” Johnson said in a statement. “This position
doesn't require any religious denomination to alter any of its
tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding
who can marry whom.”
Last month, Johnson, 66, announced that
he would retire in 2014.
Currently, 54 U.S. senators support gay
nuptials, including two GOP senators: Rob Portman of Ohio and Mark
Kirk of Illinois.
Only three Democratic senators remain
opposed to marriage equality. Arkansas
Senator Mark Pryor recently said he's “in the undecided
category,” while Louisiana
Senator Mary Landrieu said she has to honor her state's “very
strong constitutional amendment against gay marriage.” The third
holdout is West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin.
(Related: Support
for gay marriage has increased in all 50 states.)