Campaign to
recall pro-gay California judge dropped

Opponents of same-sex marriage have abandoned their campaign to recall a Sacramento County superior court judge who upheld California's domestic-partner law. Religious conservatives in Sacramento County launched a recall against Judge Loren McMaster in late December after he upheld the state's domestic-partners law, which provides many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

McMaster got support from the state's attorney general, judges from across the country, and gay rights advocates. Removing him, they said, would send an ominous message. Antigay conservatives tried to force a special election to unseat McMaster. But they needed enough signatures for this week's deadlines, something recall leader Tony Andrade would not comment on to the Copley News Service.

While gay activists say there was little public interest in the recall, conservatives point to a state supreme court ruling as ultimately undoing their efforts. On June 29, the state's highest court unanimously agreed with McMaster. And in the words of Andrade, that took the wind out of their sails. (Sirius/OutQ)