Ore. Gov. Candidate: Same-Sex Marriage a Sin, Like 'Murder'

While she has little chance of winning the office, Oregon gubernatorial hopeful Lorraine Mae Rafferty is gaining notoriety with her stance that same-sex marriage is "a sin, just the same as murder's a sin."

Rafferty, a Republican, made the comment in a video interview posted online Tuesday by Portland newspaper The Oregonian.

"I would have to say, I definitely believe that that is wrong," she said in response to reporter Harry Esteve's query about same-sex marriage. "I believe it's a sin, just the same as murder's a sin." She also asserted her opposition to abortion and to allowing Chinese businesses to operate in Oregon.

Rafferty's campaign website elaborates on some of her ideology. Here are some statements, exactly as worded on the site:

"No I do not support same sex marriage it a sin, and the very acceptance of it by society is a violation of innocent minds."

"The saddest day in American history was when The United States Supreme Court ruled in the Roe verses Wade case that it was unconstitutional for a state to enforce all encompassing anti-abortion laws."

"It has become apparent to many, that America is in the process of being taken over by a Tyrannical-Marxist Communist Regime. We here on the news about Chinese companies setting up in America. I want to make you aware of the position Governor Candidate Mr. Dennis Richardson has taken in the matter of encouraging Chinese business into Oregon."

According to the Oregon Secretary of State's website, Rafferty is one of five candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor in the May 20 primary; some other, less official sites list a sixth. Richardson, a state representative, is the front-runner. However, none of them is likely to beat incumbent Democrat John Kitzhaber in the November general election.

Meanwhile, marriage equality advocates are pursuing two strategies to make same-sex marriage legal in Oregon. The state's ban on such unions is being challenged in a federal lawsuit, and activists are gathering signatures to put a pro-marriage equality initiative before voters in November.

Watch The Oregonian's interview with Rafferty below.