Indiana Republicans Keep Marriage "Between A Man And A Woman" In Party Platform

Most of the Indiana Republican Party's 1,500 delegates supported keeping language in the party platform which defines marriage as “between a man and a woman.”

Photo via @IndGOP, Twitter.

(Evansville, Ind.) - The Indiana Republican Party has made a decision about the language that defines marriage in their platform.

An idea endorsed by Governor Eric Holcomb would've changed the wording to support "strong families", meaning all adults who are raising children.

Instead, the nearly 1,500 delegates at this past weekend’s state party convention in Evansville voted to keep the current definition of marriage as “between a man and a woman.”  The approval was given by voice vote.

The language was first put into the party's platform in 2014 when Vice President Mike Pence was the governor of Indiana. 

Despite the controversy of the marriage language in the platform, Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer told The Northwest Indiana Times that the party is united after the convention.

“I think it's been a good experience for our party. We've shown that we're open to varying views within the party,” Hupfer said. “And, we're going to continue to discuss it.”

RELATED: Indiana Republicans Divided On Marriage Stance In Party Platform

In a statement on the Republican platform, Indiana Democratic Party chairman John Zody took aim at Holcomb.

“He’s either unwilling or was outmuscled, but at a critical moment to lead his party, Governor Holcomb stepped back,” said Zody. “Either way, it’s not the first time Holcomb has pulled a strategic disappearing act when faced with a difficult decision.”

In other happenings at the state GOP convention at Evansville’s Ford Center, Connie Lawson was nominated to run for re-election as the Indiana Secretary of State. Incumbents Tera Klutz and Kelly Mitchell were nominated for state auditor and state treasurer, respectively.

Hupfer said it was just the second time in Indiana history that a party has put forward an all-female ticket.

“Indiana Republicans are providing Hoosier voters with the energy we need to continue moving this state forward. We simply cannot go back to the days of debt, dysfunction and out-of-control spending under the Democrats, and we must elect Connie Lawson, Kelly Mitchell and Tera Klutz this November,” Hupfer said.

To grow our party, we must also focus on the next generation of Republicans. It will be up to each county to find ways to outreach and encourage young folks to learn about the Republican Party. #INDGOP18

— Kyle Hupfer (@ChairmanHupfer) June 9, 2018

Our Party supports ALL Hoosiers, believes every citizen deserves equal protection under the law and that #loveislove . https://t.co/c61zdkdEWB

— Indiana Democrats (@INDems) June 9, 2018

Platform language retaining defense of 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.”

The proposed updated language which was defeated

“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.”