Gay marriage opponent Bob Vander Plaats
is preparing a campaign to oust Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael
Gronstal, the AP reported.
Vander Plaats, who helms the Christian
conservative group The Family Leader, believes Gronstal has
single-handedly blocked attempts to refer a gay marriage ban to Iowa
voters. The constitutional amendment was overwhelmingly approved in
the Republican-controlled House and is supported by GOP Governor
Terry Branstad.
Over the weekend, Gronstal reiterated
his pledge to block the measure from reaching the Senate floor.
“I'm not going to put discrimination
into the state's constitution,” the Council Bluffs Democrat told
the AP.
The issue has consumed Vander Plaats,
who, after failing to secure the gubernatorial GOP nomination,
spearheaded a campaign to remove three of the seven Iowa Supreme
Court justices whose 2009 unanimous decision legalized gay marriage
in the state.
He now says he'll work to unseat
Gronstal.
“I think my political assessment of
his decision is it will lead to his defeat in 2012,” said Vander
Plaats. “Obviously he'll be a top target of ours.”
Democrats hold a narrow 2 seat majority
in the Senate. Securing a Republican majority in the Senate would
also alter its leadership.
Before voters can decide on a
constitutional amendment, the measure would need to be approved by
lawmakers elected in consecutive elections. That is, if approved in
2013, the earliest the question would appear on the ballot would be
2016.