PRESS RELEASE, Trenton -- Governor Jon Corzine, who campaigned in support of gay marriage and named the sponsor of the gay marriage bill as his running mate, lost re-election today in part because of poor performance in traditionally Democratic urban centers. Experts say that the African-American and Hispanic base on which Democrats can usually rely does not support the Democratic position on redefining marriage, which may have made the difference in this election.

"Gov. Corzine said gay marriage was 'on the ballot' with him in New Jersey this year. Today, New Jersey voted 'No' on both of them," said Len Deo, President of the New Jersey Family Policy Council. Values Voters rejected this issue outright! Values always matter and this time they were pivotal in the outcome of this election.

Gov. Corzine linked gay marriage to his candidacy in June at the Gay Pride Rally in Asbury Park (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj-vhscBGj0). The Governor was outspoken throughout the campaign about redefining marriage to apply to same-sex couples, appearing before Garden State Equality's 2009 Legends Dinner in March, telling a union conference in September that he'd sign a gay marriage bill "this year," and emphatically vowing to support gay marriage in two televised debates. A $225,000 radio ad campaign by the National Organization for Marriage, targeted toward African American voters, highlighted the Governor's advocacy for gay marriage. (http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=omL2KeN0LzH&b=5075189&ct=7569165)

"The Governor did not find a welcoming reception for his marriage definition message in urban New Jersey," said Deo. "Polls show that minority voters oppose changing marriage--even polls done by groups in favor of gay marriage."

An April 23, 2009 Quinnipiac University Poll found that, given the choice between recognizing same-sex couples as "married" or not, 62% of black voters in New Jersey think the relationships should not be called "marriages". Forty-two percent of them even disagree with legally recognizing such relationships as civil unions. (Questions 28-29, www.quinnipiac.edu/x1299.xml?ReleaseID=1289)

Garden State Equality's own poll, conducted in August 2008 and with wording favoring their position, found that 53% of African Americans and 51% of Hispanics in New Jersey oppose same-sex couples "getting the freedom to marry." (http://www.gardenstateequality.org/Zogby%20August%202008%20poll%20demographics.pdf)

Patrick J. Egan, an assistant professor of politics at New York University who has studied black voting patterns on same-sex marriage, said black voters consistently polled much lower than white voters on approval for same-sex marriage, about 16 percentage points. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/us/politics/21gay.html)

The Governor's continued lobbying for gay marriage appears to have greatly dampened the enthusiasm and turn-out for him today. Polls throughout the campaign showed the Governor underperforming by a large amount among minority voters, including a poll released November 1 by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm. That poll showed Corzine receiving the support of only 76% of black voters and just 51% of Hispanic voters. Democrats can usually count on support from those groups of more than 90% and more than 60%, respectively. (http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_NJ_1101513.pdf and 

(http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/66268552.html)

The Corzine campaign was relying heavily on large turn-out in Newark, Camden, Paterson, and other cities with a majority population of minorities. President Obama even visited New Jersey three times to encourage the urban base to come out, stumping in Newark and Camden on November 1. But in the lead-up to Election day, urban leaders like State Senator Ron Rice and Paterson Councilman Andre Sayegh and Council President Jeffrey Jones publicly voiced concerns about lackluster urban support. (http://www.politickernj.com/max/34665/rice-leads-late-west-ward-mobilization-corzine)

Council President Jones even said, "I think we have our work cut out for us. A lot of people know it's Election Day, and people are starting to talk about it, but most of the people I talk to are pretty reserved about what they're going to do. I can't put my finger on it, because it's not voter apathy. People know what they're going to do. They're just not sharing their position." (http://www.politickernj.com/max/34724/most-paterson-council-members-agree-ground-game-there-corzine-one-has-his-doubts)

"Today New Jerseyans, especially those in urban families, made their position clear. They have said 'No' to Jon Corzine and Loretta Weinberg's attempt to change the social meaning of marriage," noted Rev. Dr. Gloria Harris of Beth El International Church, Newark, NJ, a member of the NJ Clergy Advisory Council. "We have heard from urban leaders across the state about how the Governor's promises of gay marriage led them to stay home or even change their vote," concluded Dr. Harris.