TRENTON, N.J. — The gay daughter of New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono criticized Gov. Chris Christie on Monday for his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Tessa Bitterman sent an email to her mother’s supporters saying she has a stake in the election because she is a gay American. Buono, a Democrat, supports same-sex marriage. The governor, a Republican, does not.
“As governor, he has been a giant roadblock to New Jersey achieving equality for all,” she wrote.
Christie vetoed the gay marriage bill last year. Democrats have since said they plan to try for an override, but haven’t yet done so. They have never been successful at overriding a Christie veto, which would require some Republican support.
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Christie has suggested putting the question to voters, but most Democrats reject that idea.
Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat who was opposed to gay marriage in 2010 but has said he now regrets that decision and supports it, has previously refused to put the question to voters. He has said same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue that does not belong on the ballot.
Bitterman said Christie has misrepresented himself as a moderate. She said his record scares her, especially because he may run for national office.
Christie has a commanding lead over Buono in public opinion polls. He is considering a run for president in 2016, and wants to rack up big numbers against the lesser-known Buono that could bolster his chances nationally.
Christie’s campaign didn’t immediately return a request for comment Monday.
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