Iowa Gay-Marriage Judges Ousted

Tuesday night’s conservative wave swept through the Iowa Supreme Court as well, where voters ousted the three justices who legalized same-sex marriage last year. The justices' decision made them targets of anti-gay groups like the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council, which pumped over $700,000 into the election and funded a “Judge Bus” tour. It’s the first time a Supreme Court justice has been voted out since 1962, when Iowa began its system in which governor’s appoint justices but voters have the chance to oust them at the end of each term. It doesn’t seem likely that Iowa’s new governor, Republican Terry Branstad, will appoint similarly pro-same-sex marriage judges: He signed the Iowa Defense of Marriage Act when he was governor 12 years ago; he’s supported amending the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage; and he’s said same-sex marriage led to the crumbling of ancient civilizations.