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Former GOP lawmaker, Iraq war veteran featured in Minn. gay marriage ads

Former GOP lawmaker, Iraq war veteran featured in Minn. gay marriage ads

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Building off the growing momentum across Minnesota to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples in 2013, Minnesotans United on Tuesday announced the release of a new broadcast television ad featuring Iraq War veteran John Kriesel.

John Kriesel

Kriesel is a former Minnesota State Representative who, on May 21, 2011, was one of four Republicans who dissented against the caucus majority by voting against sending a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage to a 2012 referendum.

The bill passed by a vote of 70-62, but a similar ad aired in the final days of the 2012 election and was pivotal in helping to defeat the constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage in Minnesota as between one man and one woman.

The new version of this ad urges Minnesotans to contact their legislators and tell them that it is time for all Minnesotans to enjoy the basic freedom to marry.

Watch:

“Like many Minnesotans, Representative Kriesel’s personal experiences are what brought him to the conclusion that loving and committed same-sex couples deserve the freedom to marry,” said Richard Carlbom, Minnesotans United Campaign Manager.

“In the next three weeks, the Minnesota Legislature has the historic opportunity to make Minnesota a more fair and free state by including same-sex couples and their families in marriage. No Minnesotan should have to wait any longer to enjoy the happiness and security that comes through marriage, and no Minnesota family should have to live another day being told that they are less worthy than any other family,” he said.

The six-figure ad buy will run on broadcast stations statewide beginning Wednesday.

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