Why even red-state Democrats are jumping on the gay marriage bandwagon

Once politically toxic, marriage equality is suddenly gaining support in some unlikely places

Kay Hagan becomes the latest red-state Democrat to support gay marriage.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Alex Wong)

On Wednesday, Sen. Kay Hagan (D) of North Carolina added her name to the growing ranks of lawmakers who have publicly "evolved" on marriage equality, just as the Supreme Court weighs two potentially historic cases on the issue.

While Hagan isn't the only Democrat who has rushed to join the chorus in favor of same-sex marriage, her announcement is notable because it reflects the rapidly shifting political calculus on the issue. Democrats in battleground states like North Carolina once hedged on the question to maintain broader appeal, but the changing times have helped them to change their minds as well.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.