MN Marriage Votes May Come Next Week

The Grand Forks Herald reports that a key Minnesota House Democrat has indicated he will support same-sex marriage. The vote in both state chambers may come as soon as next week.

Rep. Joe Radinovich, of Crosby, had been undecided. He said he decided more than a decade ago that he personally supports letting same-sex couples legally marry, but was conflicted knowing that many residents of his Brainerd-area district are more skeptical.  "This was not an easy decision, but at the end of the day I'd rather protect my integrity than my job," Radinovich told The Associated Press. The 27-year-old lawmaker won his seat by just 323 votes last fall.

Passage in the state Senate appears assured, but a dozen House Democrats from rural districts remain uncommitted to supporting the bill.