Hunter, Ose, McClintock first out of the gate to slam Court decision

Republicans Doug Ose and Duncan D. Hunter are the state’s first U.S. House candidates out of the box with statements challenging today’s California Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of same sex marriage. Both candidates invoked the March 2000 passage of Proposition 22, a statewide initiative defining marriage as between a man and woman.

"Families are under assault by out of control liberal judges," said Hunter. "The Court brazenly disregarded the will of the people and sent California down a road that will destroy traditional family values. I am committed to working to make sure this decision is overturned and that these liberal judges understand the gravity of what they have done."

“Today’s decision not only overturns the will of the vast majority of Californians, but it is an affront to the very values that unite us as Americans. I am disappointed that a handful of activist judges have decided to play politics with an issue that is so important to families throughout this state,” said Ose.

Ose also urged voters to consider the California Marriage Protection Act, a measure expected to appear on the November ballot which would amend the state’s constitution to define marriage between a man and a woman.

Hunter, a businessman and Army veteran, is running for the San Diego-area seat his father, Duncan Hunter, is retiring from. Ose is seeking the Roseville-area seat of retiring U.S. Rep. John Doolittle.

UPDATE: state Senator Tom McClintock, Ose's primary opponent, has also released a statement attacking the decision.

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a travesty of judicial activism and is based not on California law – which is crystal-clear – but on the social views of the individual justices. Fortunately, the initiative process allows voters the opportunity to overturn this ruling by adopting the Marriage Protection initiative this November,” said McClintock. “I intend to do everything in my power to campaign for this initiative.”