Minnesota Governor Would Sign Marriage Bill

Governor Mark Dayton

Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota said he would sign marriage equality legislation if it reached his desk.

Dayton, a Democrat, made the comments in an interview Thursday, according to Minnesota Public Radio. He added that he was unsure whether the legislature was ready to take up the issue, however.

"I hope we're going to get to that point,” he said. “The younger generation is broadly accepting of that change and we'll get there, it's just a question of when.”

Minnesota voters rejected a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage last month. The governor supported the effort to defeat the proposal.

Advocates met last week in Minneapolis to strategize how to proceed after their win at the ballot. The questions include timing and whether there are enough votes to support legislation at this time. Democrats control both houses of the Minnesota legislature.

The support of Democratic governors has been key to marriage equality campaigns in other states.