Same-sex rights. As court readies ruling, candidates remain silent.

[Kire]

Gay unions not an issue
Same-sex rights. As court readies ruling, candidates remain silent.
Monday, October 16, 206
By Martin C. Bricketto
The Express-Times

TRENTON | With the state Supreme Court expected to issue a landmark ruling on gay marriage this month, neither U.S. Senate candidate is making noise about the issue in what has been a noisy campaign.

There's little or no mention of whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to legally marry on the otherwise exhaustive Web sites for incumbent Democrat Robert Menendez or Republican challenger state Sen. Thomas Kean Jr.

"I think this is an election that's been focused on some of the more predominant issues," Kean spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said. "It's been focused obviously on the war, on ethics, on homeland security, on taxes."

Both candidates say they believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but they would not support a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution blocking gay marriage, according to the campaigns. Menendez voted against a federal amendment this year in the Senate.

"He doesn't believe the Constitution should be amended to take away rights," Menendez spokesman Matthew Miller said.

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