Brian Souchet: Only Bill Beardsley Stands To Protect Marriage in Maine

Brian Souchet was instrumental in defeating the effort to redefine marriage in Maine last year, often serving as the public face for the defense of traditional marriage in debates against the Equality Maine representatives. Here Brian articulates exactly why this Republican Primary election stands as our only defense against the eventuality of the next attack on marriage in Maine. Clicking on the links provided tells the entire story. If you think there is a candidate besides Bill Beardsley who is capable of standing up to the forces that are even today working to re-elect the legislators who tried to force the redefining of marriage on Maine people, you would be mistaken. Thank you to Brian for taking the time and effort to craft this compelling argument in support of candidate Bill Beardsley and reveals the reasons why none of the other candidates will stop gay marriage in Maine. -MWP

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Last November, close to 300,000 of our fellow Mainers voted to defend the traditional view of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Many of you were involved directly with the Yes on 1 campaign; others provided financial and moral support. Your prayers and support were crucial to that success.

While the people have spoken, the politicians do not seem to be listening. This coming Tuesday, we have an opportunity to ensure that come November, Mainers will have some truly pro-marriage candidates on the ballot.

"Equality" Maine understands the importance of the upcoming primary race. They know that if they can maintain control of the legislature, the next governor will almost certainly either sign or veto a same-sex "marriage" bill during his or her tenure. They have said so themselves and are encouraging their supporters to vote accordingly, stating "Imagine how devastating it would be to have our next marriage bill vetoed by an anti-equality governor."

I would frame the scenario differently: Imagine how devastating it would be for the next governor to ignore the will of the people, to pretend as if last year's referendum vote never occurred and to once again impose on the people of Maine a radical redefinition of marriage. Imagine how devastating it would be to have to fight that same battle all over again.

Unfortunately, the current field of candidates is not encouraging.

In the ultimate act of hubris, all four Democratic gubernatorial candidates have publicly vowed to bring the same-sex marriage issue back before the legislature. It's as if last year's people's veto never happened. Republican candidate Peter Mills joins his democrat counterparts by continuing his long standing support of same-sex marriage. All but one on the Republican side are trying to reach a political compromise by embracing civil unions. Paul LePage has gone so far as to claim that civil unions should be the law of the land for all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Unfortunately, what we've learned over the course of last year's campaign is that civil unions are simply a precursor to same-sex marriage, as has been demonstrated in Vermont, Connecticut, and most recently New Hampshire. Supporters of same-sex marriage, we now know, will never be satisfied with civil unions and will use any civil union legislation as a stepping stone to redefine marriage as we know it, if not in the legislature then certainly in the courts. The history on this is clear.

Of the 11 candidates running as either a Republican or a Democrat, only one, Republican candidate Bill Beardsley, has articulated a clear and forceful position on the issue of traditional monogamous marriage, promising to veto any bill that undermines this timeless institution. You can read Beardsley's statement here (see question #8).

With all the economic and social issues facing our State, can we afford to engage in another divisive and financially costly battle over an issue as fundamental as marriage? Unless we support truly pro-marriage candidates, ones whose actions follow their words (remember the Baldacci flip-flop?), this is exactly where we will be next January. While the defense of marriage is but one of many issues, we all know that if the time comes, defending marriage will become the only issue. If the current set of politicians will not listen to the people, perhaps its time that we the people sent them home.

June 8th is primary day - please get involved in the primary process! Remember that undeclared voters can register with a political party right up through Election Day. Let's put a pro-marriage governor and pro-marriage legislators into office. Your vote is critical!

May God bless you, your families and the great State of Maine.

Sincerely,

Brian Souchet, Sr.

Find out where the candidates stand on Marriage:

MPBN Republican Debate (See time 46:11)
WGME Democratic Debate, Part IV (See time 1:45)
Red County Caucus Republican Questionnaire (See question 8 for each candidate)
Peter Mills Interview: Same-Sex Marriage
Paul LePage Interview (See time 17:41)