Iowa Gov-Elect, Lawmaker Spar Over Marriage Equality

Iowa governor-elect Terry Branstad and senate majority leader Michael Gronstal sparred Monday over marriage equality, with the conservative Republican Brandstad calling Gronstal a "dictator" for trying to prevent a public vote on the issue.

The men spoke at a gathering organized by the Associated Press, where Branstad said he expects the Republican-controlled House to approve the referral of a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage for voters' consideration. Gronstal said he would refuse to allow the referral to proceed.

According to KEYC-TV, Branstad said, "Just because you're a leader in the legislature doesn't mean you're a dictator... or you have the right to make unilateral decisions."

Gronstal said, "Dictators are people who let, make efforts to take away other people's rights. I'm not going down that road."

Marriage equality came to Iowa in 2009 through a unanimous state supreme court decision. Last month, voters recalled three justices who voted for the ruling.