Indiana Republicans Divided On Marriage Stance In Party Platform

Delegates will decided between two platform proposals this weekend.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Factions of the Indiana Republican Party are at odds over whether to eliminate a line in the party platform which supports "marriage between a man and a woman."

The wording was to be changed to “in support of marriage”, a change proposed by GOP chairman Kyle Hupfer, an appointee of Governor Eric Holcomb.

However, conservative members of the party pushed back in phone calls and emails to Hupfer. House Speaker Brian Bosma, Attorney General Curtis Hill, and congressmen Jim Banks and Todd Rokita are among those opposing the wording changes.

Holcomb has not backed either phrasing of the marriage issue.

“The Indiana Republican Party is big and diverse, with many different perspectives on issues we all care about," Holcomb said. "The debate over the past week regarding this year’s party platform only reinforces that fact. Ultimately, though, the process of adopting a platform will end the way it always ends, with the delegates who attend and participate making the final decision.” 

Republican party delegates will have the final say on the platform language, with a vote set for this Saturday. They will be given the option to choose between two platforms with the varying marriage language.

The platform process has once again allowed for our party to engage in insightful & meaningful debate. It is always the delegates, who represent 100s of 1000s of Republicans across the state, that have the final decision on the platform. https://t.co/XGe49TI2zy

— Indiana GOP (@indgop) June 7, 2018

The two versions of the strong families section of the platform proposals:

Retains traditional marriage

 “We believe, in strong families. We believe that strong families, based on marriage between a man and a woman, are the foundation of society. We also recognize that some families are much more diverse and we support the blended families, grandparents, guardians, single parents* and loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential every day.”

Proposed update

“We believe in strong families. We believe that strong families are the foundation of society and that such families bring forth citizens capable of self-government, as well as properly-motivated public servants so essential for a successful republic. We support traditional families with a mother and father, blended families, grandparents, guardians, single parents and all loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential every day.”