Updated: October 21, 2013, 9:52 am.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has ordered his administration to withdraw its appeal of a New Jersey Supreme court ruling allowing gay couples to get married.
The New Jersey high court on Friday refused a request by the Christie administration to delay a ruling by a judge that allowed same-sex couples to get married in New Jersey. After the ruling the Christie administration said it would appeal the decision.
Couples in New Jersey began getting married early Monday within minutes of New Jersey, becoming the 13th state (plus the District of Columbia) to allow same-sex marriage.
Sen.-elect Cory Booker (D-N.J.) officiated some of the marriages.
Christie ordered acting Attorney General John Hoffman (R) to withdraw the Christie administration’s appeal of the case, Garden State Equality vs. Paula Dow, on Monday morning.
“Although the Governor strongly disagrees with the Court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the Court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,” the Christie administration said in a statement. “The Governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his Administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.”
Read the Christie administration’s formal letter of withdrawal below:
