Christie Drops Fight Against Same-Sex Marriage

Had fought it until couples began exchanging vows

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that he will drop his appeal to a court ruling that paved the way for same-sex marriage, hours after same-sex couples in the state began tying the knot for the first time. Christie submitted a formal withdrawal of his appeal Monday morning, the Associated Press reports. Christie, a Republican cruising to reelection in a blue state but also eying a possible presidential run, has walked a political tight rope on same-sex marriage, opposing efforts to legalize it while also saying it should be left for voters to decide by referendum. He vetoed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2012, and continued to fight it in court until conceding defeat Monday. His decision to cancel an appeal that the state Supreme Court had still planned to hear means a lower court’s ruling allowing same-sex marriage won’t be overturned, making New Jersey the 14th state to allow the unions. [AP]