Gay-marriage bill sent to NJ governor, who's vowed veto

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey was delivered this morning to Gov. Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto it.

The Assembly clerk's office sent the bill to Christie a day after the chamber approved it 42-33, Assembly spokesman Tom Hester said. The Senate passed the gay-marriage proposal Monday.

Christie, a Republican who opposes gay marriage, had vowed "very swift action" once the bill reached his desk.

Today, Steven Goldstein, chairman of the state's largest gay-rights group, Garden State Equality, said Christie would veto the bill because of his national political ambitions.

"He won't veto the bill because he's anti-gay," Goldstein said in a statement. "He'll veto the bill because the 2016 South Carolina presidential primary electorate is anti-gay."

Goldstein, who said he has a cordial relationship with the governor, promised to continue to fight him vigorously on the issue. "And we will win, so help me God," he said.