Three Ariz. GOP senators who voted for anti-gay bill now calling for veto

PHOENIX — Three Republican Arizona state senators who voted for a bill that has triggered a national backlash from gay rights advocates are now urging Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the legislation.

Sen. Bob Worsley says he and Sens. Adam Driggs and Steve Pierce sent a letter to Brewer Monday asking her to strike down the legislation allowing business owners with strongly held religious beliefs to refuse service to gays.

Article continues below

Worsley says he was uncomfortable when he voted for the bill. Both he and Pierce called their votes a mistake.

The legislation passed last week. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is requesting a veto because of fears it will hurt tourism.

U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake have both said they hope Brewer vetoes the bill, as have Arizona’s Secretary of State Ken Bennett and Treasurer Doug Ducey, both GOP candidates for governor.

Conservative groups are pushing back and hoping Brewer signs it in to law.

The vote in the Senate was 17-13 — had Worsley, Driggs and Pierce voted against the measure, it would have failed in the state Senate. Read their letter here.