Hawaii Gov. Abercrombie Blames Gay Marriage For Stunning Primary Loss

By CATHERINE THOMPSON Published AUGUST 30, 2014, 10:49 AM EDT

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) blamed his historic primary loss on his decision to call a special session to pass a bill legalizing gay marriage, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

Speaking to reporters in his office, Abercrombie said Republicans, who are allowed to vote in the state's open primary, crossed over to vote against him because of his maneuver to legalize gay marriage. He also claimed that religious leaders urged voters to choose his opponent.

"Republicans crossed over en masse to vote in the Democratic primary, and then the religious factor came in," he said, as quoted by the AP. "Doctrinally I was outside the circle and paid for it."

State Sen. David Ige bested Abercrombie by 35 percentage points in the primary election earlier this month. It was the first time a Democratic governor was unseated in a Hawaii primary.

more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/hawaii-guv-abercrombie-blames-primary-loss-on-gay-marriage