A looming Senate vote on legislation supporting same-sex marriage has created a political bind for Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson, the most at-risk GOP senator in the November election.
The marriage equality legislation loads another contentious social policy issue into Johnson’s close contest with Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. It’s one that will force him to decide whether to make a play for centrist voters or rely on his core Republican base to take him to victory in one of the five key races that will decide control of the Senate.
Johnson, who is trailing Barnes in polls, has shifted his stance since the House in July approved the Respect for Marriage Act. He said at the time he saw “no reason to oppose it,” joining just a few other GOP senators as early potential supporters.
