NORTH CAROLINA: AG Roy Cooper Says He Would Veto RFRA Bill If Governor

Via the Associated Press: 

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper says he rejects a proposal allowing public officials to cite religion for declining to serve same-sex couples. Cooper is preparing a run for governor in 2016 and spoke Wednesday to The Associated Press. He says if he was governor he’d veto two Republican legislative proposals related to same-sex marriage. One would allow magistrates and court officials to refuse to carry out civil same-sex marriages due to religious beliefs. Supporters say the other measure protects businesses from government interference, which is similar Indiana’s religious freedom law that sparked furor.

Cooper is a Democrat and is considered next year's front-runner.

NORTH CAROLINA: State AG Roy Cooper Says Amendment One Is Now Surely Doomed, Will Drop His Defense

Via Equality North Carolina:

Following a ruling today from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of marriage equality, North Carolina's Attorney General Roy Cooper held a press conference in response, saying that as a result of the ruling, North Carolina's own ban on the freedom to marry, "will almost surely be overturned." He added that the North Carolina's ban, known as Amendment One is now indefensible, saying "It's time to stop making arguments we know will lose." The 4th Circuit has jurisdiction over federal courts in North Carolina. Cooper added, "The ruling does predict our law will be struck down." The 4th Circuit ruling will become law in 21 days. During that period of time, motions for stay can be made. "Our attorneys have vigorously argued this case every step of the way, but the 4th Circuit ruling is clear...There are really no arguments left to be made," said Cooper.

Cooper, who is a Democrat, endorsed marriage equality in October 2013 but simultaneously vowed to defend the state against the suit brought by the ACLU.  Not incidentally, Cooper is pegged as a frontrunner in the 2016 North Carolina gubernatorial race. (Tipped by JMG reader Sean)

UPDATE: Here's Cooper's full statement.

After reviewing the 4th Circuit decision and consulting with attorneys here, I have concluded that the State of North Carolina will not oppose the cases moving forward. In addition, the State of North Carolina will acknowledge the 4th Circuit opinion that marriage is a fundamental right and that our office believes that the judges are bound by this 4th Circuit decision. In all these cases challenging state marriage laws, our office along with other attorneys general and state attorneys across the country have made about every legal argument imaginable. Since the US Supreme Court ruled in the Windsor case, all the federal courts have rejected these arguments each and every time. So it’s time for the State of North Carolina to stop making them.

NORTH CAROLINA: State Attorney General Roy Cooper Endorses Marriage Equality

But he's still going to defend the state against the lawsuit brought by the ACLU. Via the Associated Press:

Attorney General Roy Cooper says he supports gay marriage but argues his personal views aren't preventing him from vigorously defending North Carolina's constitutional amendment affirming its prohibition from a lawsuit. Cooper opposed passage of the amendment in 2012 but hadn't addressed his views on sanctioning gay marriage publicly until now. He said over the weekend "I support marriage equality" when asked by The Associated Press about the topic. His announcement worries the socially conservative North Carolina Family Policy Council after it questioned why Cooper was speaking next month at a fundraiser for gay-rights group Equality North Carolina.

Equality North Carolina has responded to Cooper's announcement: "The Attorney General has long been an advocate for equal rights for all people and we applaud him for publicly aligning with a fast-growing majority of North Carolinians who now support the legal relationship recognitions between committed LGBT couples." (Tipped by JMG reader Al)