1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz is helping launch a new group tomorrow called "Veterans United" aimed at helping defeat the marriage amendment.
The group is a coalition of veterans of the armed services that oppose the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, according to a news release. Walz will be joined by Lori and Jeff Wilfahrt, whose openly-gay soldier son Andrew was killed while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011. The group is connected to Minnesotans United for All Families, the main organization fighting against the marriage amendment. The kick-off will be at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol.
Walz has already spoken out against this amendment and has supported efforts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act at the federal level. The Mankato Democrat served 24 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard and retired after achieving the rank of command sergeant major. He is the highest ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress.
Veterans United plans to tour the state in the weeks before the Nov. 6 election to urge defeat of the amendment. Walz's opponent, Republican Allen Quist, has said he supports the constitutional amendment, which would define marriage as being between one woman and one man.
It's interesting to note that Richard Carlbom is heading up the Minnesotans United's campaign efforts. He previously worked as Walz's campaign manager.
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