Vander Plaats calls vote a referendum on failed leadership

Results of the Nov. 2 election show Iowa is ready for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, according to the leader of the successful effort to oust three state Supreme Court justices.

“The will of the people has fallen on deaf ears for too long, and they want to see leadership on a constitutional marriage amendment,” said Bob Vander Plaats, chairman of Iowa For Freedom.

He's applauding House Speaker-elect Kraig Paulsen's intentions to bring the issue up for debate when the Legislature convenes in January.

Republican flipped control of the House Nov. 2 and will have a 60-40 advantage. Democrats appear to held on to the majority in the Senate with a 26-24 margin.

Under Democratic leadership, attempts to put the issue on the ballot to let Iowans vote whetehr to amend the Constitution have been bottled up by House and Senate leaders.

“Leadership is something that has failed on this issue,” Vander Plaats said. “Whether it was outgoing Speaker (Pat) Murphy kicking concerned Iowans out of the People's House or Sen. (Mike) Gronstal stifling debate, the people have spoken and I would offer some helpful advice to Senate Democrats to listen to the people when electing their new leader.”

Vander Plaats called the Nov. 2 election a referendum on failed leadership in the governor's office, legislature and Supreme Court. Blocking Republican's attempt to debate a constitutional amendment in the Iowa Senate is not what the people indicated on election night, Vander Plaats said.

“Nov. 2 was historic with three Iowa Supreme Court justices failing to be retained,” Vander Plaats said. “However, Iowans did not stop there, their votes showed extreme displeasure with the governor's office and legislature. That displeasure stemmed from out-of-control spending, and more important, silencing the voice and will of the people.”