#COURAGE
Below, Maryland Juice pieces together a few statements from Republican Delegate Kach. These tidbits provide insight into why he decided to support marriage equality. We begin with a Tweet from Governor Martin O'Malley:
The Baltimore Sun reported in greater detail about Delegate Kach's rationale:
By far the biggest boost came in the morning when Republican Del. Wade Kach, who was considered a sure-fire no vote, threw his support behind O'Malley's bill. Kach had voted against the bill two days earlier in committee.
The Baltimore County delegate said he reached his decision after mulling the testimony he'd heard during a nearly 11-hour hearing on the bill last week and watching how same-sex couples supported one another. "I thought to myself, if my constituents were here, they'd have a different perspective on the issue," Kach said. "I'm sure of it."
He also became the target of a last-minute lobby effort, and said his voice mail was full of messages from important people, including Mehlman, Bloomberg and an offer to talk with former Vice President Dick Cheney, whom Kach regards as a "great man." All three are recognized for their support of gay rights issues.
Like all of the delegates interviewed, Kach said the out-of-state calls didn't have an impact on his decision making. As of Thursday morning, he had not returned any of them. "I'm more interested in talking to my constituents and my colleagues here," said Kach. "I just didn't call them back."
Thanks again!
P.S. Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Ellen Sauerbrey was stunned -- just stunned that Delegate Kach could possibly listen to constituent feedback and consider it! The Towson Patch reported:
"If his was the one vote the governor needed, then he will be held accountable by a lot of people," said Ellen Sauerbrey, a friend and political ally of Kach....
"I am totally bewildered by this," Sauerbrey said. "His decision made no sense. All he could say was his heart was touched by some of the stories."
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