Voice for Equality: NJ Senator Bill Baroni

Bill Baroni is an American Republican Party politician who has served in the New Jersey Senate, where he has represented the 14th legislative district since January 8, 2008. Prior to his Senate service, Baroni served in the General Assembly from 2004-2008. On November 6, 2007, he won election to become State Senator of the 14th Legislative District. He captured 67% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party opponent Seema Singh. Baroni filled the State Senate seat vacated by Republican Senator Peter Inverso. There had been speculation that Baroni would seek the Republican nomination for United States Senate in 2008 against Frank R. Lautenberg, but his run for the New Jersey Senate effectively ended that speculation. Learn more here.

On January 7, 2010, The Huffington Post ran a blog post titled, "The Republican Who Might Bring Marriage Equality to Jersey," which recapped his consistent support for the freedom to marry:

The man has been known to infuriate Democrats on occasion, as any good partisan should. But on marriage equality, he is good as gold. He was the first (voting before any of the Democrats) to vote 'yes' on the marriage equality bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. He has shown courage and a willingness to break with his party to stand on principle -- something few politicians of any stripe are willing to do these days. [Link]

On Thursday, January 7, 2010, Senator Baroni did indeed vote in favor of the marriage equality bill in New Jersey - the only Republican to do so. Baroni, who had added an amendment that would protect religious organizations from performing a marriage they opposed, saw it clearly as a civil rights issue. "I don't believe government should be granting one set of rights for some citizens and deny them to others," said Baroni, a practicing Catholic, who added that he has immense respect for the church and its moral and ethical teachings. "At the same time, I have a constitutional responsibility as a senator and I oppose discrimination." [Link]

Freedom to Marry salutes Bill Baroni as an independent Republican Voice for Equality! Learn about other Voices for Equality here.

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