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U.S. Senator-elect Cory Booker to officiate N.J. gay weddings

U.S. Senator-elect Cory Booker to officiate N.J. gay weddings

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Sen.-elect Cory Booker says he will officiate at weddings of both gay and heterosexual couples as the mayor of Newark now that New Jersey is allowing same-sex marriage.

Booker said in a statement Friday that he is excited to marry couples at City Hall starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday.

Cory Booker
Julio Cortez, AP
Newark Mayor Cory Booker talks to supporters during an election night victory party after winning a special election for the U.S. Senate, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013.

On Friday, New Jersey’s highest court ruled unanimously to uphold an order that gay weddings must start Monday and to deny a delay sought by Gov. Chris Christie’s administration.

The Newark mayor was elected Wednesday to the U.S. Senate and has been a strong supporter of gay rights. He says he has refused all requests to officiate marriages for the past seven years on principle.

© 2013, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
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