Gabriele Magni, an assistant professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, contended that midterm elections in November played a larger role in Republican support versus public sentiment. Just under half of the 47 Republicans who voted in favor of the measure are either retiring from Congress or are running for re-election in states that have historically voted for Democratic presidents within the last 30 years.
Source: NBC News
GOP Support for Same-Sex Marriage Bill Reflects a Shift Among Republican Voters