Candidate For Register Of Wills Says Beliefs Would Keep Her From Signing Same-Sex Marriage Certificates
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A candidate for Register of Wills in Montgomery County says if elected, her conscience would keep her from signing off on marriage certificates for same-sex couples.
Republican Sharon Valentine Thomas is challenging incumbent democrat D. Bruce Hanes for Register of Wills in Montgomery County. But she says, if she wins the election, her religious beliefs would keep her from signing off on marriage certificates for same-sex couples.
"I'm coming in to take a stand for my faith and my consciousness, not to have to endure something the Bible does not condone."
She says she's not trying to be an obstructionist, she would ask a court to allow her deputies to sign the licenses.
"I don't sit in the back room and try to figure out which lawyers I can get to stand with me or what lawyers I can get to stand with me, which preachers I can get to shout it out."
As current register of wills, Hanes calls Valentine Thomas's views unfortunate, claiming they're on the "wrong side of history."
Hanes began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples in 2013 despite a state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman. He said that law violated the constitution, but stopped when ordered by a court.
