Connecticut Republicans Block Gay State Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee

Connecticut's state Senate voted Tuesday to reject Governor Daniel Malloy's nominee for Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and Senate Democrats say the rejection was due to Judge Andrew McDonald being openly gay.

From LGBTQ Nation:

There are 18 Republicans and 18 Democrats in the Connecticut Senate. One Democrat recused herself from the vote, citing a personal issue between her and McDonald, and one Democrat crossed party lines and voted with Republicans. All the Republicans voted against McDonald, so his nomination was rejected 19-16.

Democrats are now accusing Republicans of rejecting McDonald because he’s gay.

“I personally would not vote for anyone who voted against Justice McDonald,” Governor Malloy said at a press conference. “And I think anyone who has a gay friend, or child, or relative, should think twice about supporting anyone who voted against Justice McDonald.”

The governor wasn’t the only elected official who thought Republicans were being homophobic. State Senator Beth Bye, who is the only LGBT member of the state senate, said that Republicans’ opposition to McDonald was unprecedented.

“Forgive my skepticism that this has nothing to do with Justice McDonald being gay,” she said. “I am so sorry for my good friend, Andrew, that he has had to go through this very different and very unusual confirmation process.”

McDonald delivered a statement following the vote:

“Whenever I faced a challenging situation, or was disappointed about something that happened to me, she would always remind me, ‘Andrew, life is not about you. It’s about those who need you.’

To everyone I tried to help, and to everyone who tried to help me, I am sorry I failed in this endeavor.

And to the LGBT community, particularly its youth who I know have been closely watching this process, I want you to understand that every minority group in history has faced setbacks.

In the fullness of time, those setbacks usually end up becoming a source of strength, a reminder of why the community must continue to press for equality, and a framework that helps shape and develop the next steps of progress.”

The CT Mirror wrote that this could signal a Republican return to the "God, guns and gays" approach in the upcoming mid-term elections.