Iowa Supreme Court Judges Booted

Three Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples have been voted out of office.

Groups including the National Organization for Marriage, the Family Research Council, and the American Family Association launched a successful $1 million campaign against the justices. The court's seven justices ruled unanimously for marriage equality, but only three members were up for retention votes this year.

The campaign was led by Bob Vander Plaats of Iowa for Freedom. Vander Plaats originally ran for governor of Iowa on the platform of eliminating marriage equality, but lost the primary.

An average of 54% of the electorate decided not to retain Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and associate justices Michael J. Streit and David L. Baker, according to the Iowa Independent.

The seats can be reappointed by current Governor Chet Culver or incoming Governor Terry Branstad when his term beings in 2011, according to WHO News.