Senator Ed Murray (D-43)
  • E.S.
  • Senator Ed Murray (D-43)

Having already declared victory, leaders of Washington United for Marriage held a press conference this afternoon at the Capitol Hill Action Center to talk about what it means. With a lot of teary eyes in the room, Washington State Senator Ed Murray recalled being the only openly gay member of the legislature when his colleagues there passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 2008. By reversing that law at the polls last night, Murray said, "we have rectified an injustice."

State Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-43) thanked the volunteers who had packed in to celebrate, and State Representative Laurie Jinkins (D-27) tried to broaden the victory. "I think we have an even bigger story to tell than Washington State," Jinkins said, referring to the two other states that passed marriage equality measures last night, and noting that both President Obama and Governor Elect Jay Inslee won while being supporters of gay marriage.

Jinkins then turned to her partner, Laura, and said: "I can't wait to marry her."

State Representative Laurie Jinkins (D-27)
  • E.S.
  • State Representative Laurie Jinkins (D-27)