Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, who came out as gay after stepping down from his post with the Republican Party, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of marriage equality signed by more than 300 high-profile Republican elected officials and activists.
Among the names are current and former governors and members of Congress.
Only two names on the list have Dallas connections — Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Fund. Her son, Eric, who is gay, is also among the signers. They live in Washington D.C. now.
Some names on the list are no surprise — like Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who represents Key West and has been a long-time co-sponsor of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act or former Rep. Mary Bono, step-mom of Chaz.
Others who are no surprise include Massachusetts’ current Republican governor, Charlie Baker, and lieutenant governor, Karyn Polito. Two other previous Republican Massachusetts governors — Jane Swift and William Weld — are also on the list. Republicans weren’t elected to statewide office in Massachusetts by running to the right.
Former New Mexico Gov. Jon Huntsman signed.
So did Mary Cheney, but no other members of her family did. Jim Kolbe, a former U.S. representative from Arizona, who is also gay, signed.
Two Republican members of the U.S. Senate are on the list — Sen Mark Kirk of Illinois and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
The signers aren’t all from liberal states. Dan Zwonitzer is a current member of the Wyoming legislature. Chris Ward is a former majority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives. Michigan is one of the four Sixth Circuit states whose case will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 28.
