Well-Known Washington Republican Endorses Marriage Equality for His State

One of Washington State's best-known Republican politicians, Dan Evans, is backing the marriage equality law that is up for a popular vote next week.

"As a Republican, I believe strongly in individual liberty and freedom," said Evans in a statement distributed by Washington United for Marriage. "So, for me, approving Referendum 74, supporting our bipartisan marriage law, and giving everyone the freedom to marry the person they love, just seems right and reflects the fundamental value of fairness that we treasure here in Washington."

Evans should be well-known to Washington voters of a certain generation. He served three terms as governor of the state, from 1965 until 1977. He followed that up in 1983 with a term as a U.S. senator.

Evans graced the cover of Time magazine as the face of the Republican Party in 1968 because he was set to give the coveted keynote speech during the party's convention.

Washington voters must decide on Election Day whether to keep in place a marriage equality law passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. If they do, same-sex couples would soon be able to marry.

Read our by-the-numbers look at marriage equality's chances at the ballot box.